Oct. 8, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State swimming and diving team competed in their first meet of the season at Horton Pool Saturday, Oct. 8, at 3:00 p.m. The Redbirds were divided into two teams, a red team and white team, to compete against each other. The white team took the win over red with a score 204-178.
Head coach Steve Paska sees the meet as a fantastic start to the season.
"I am very impressed with the entire team's performance," Paska said. "We have been training extremely hard for the past six weeks, and to see where the team is at this point in the season is extremely important as we prepare for our upcoming meets. If today is any indicator of how we will compete this year, we are in for a terrific season."
Three athletes finished first in multiple events Freshman Cecilia Holmes placed first in both the 800 yard freestyle (8:27.88) and the 500 yard IM (5:49.00). Junior Tori Alland placed first in the 200 yard freestyle (1:57.11) and the 300 yard freestyle (3:01.14). Freshman Katherine Nelson also finished first in both the 50 yard freestyle (25.13) and the 100 yard freestyle (53.78).
"Tori Alland is one of the hardest trainees I've coached here at Illinois State, Paska said. "Even with a shoulder injury that prevents her to train at 100 percent, her performance today truly defines her spirit and how wants compete this year. I was very impressed with how she performed today and she is in for a terrific season."
Head diving coach Phil Hoffman is confident in the season ahead for the Redbird divers. All five divers competed in a full six-dive format on the 3-meter and the 1-meter diving boards.
"Today was a very good performance from the team," Hoffman said. "We started a new training pattern this year, and they are much farther along in the process in comparison to past years. We are definitely on the right track and the next couple competitions will really show where we stand. The athletes have been working really hard and their performance today shows how much it has paid off."
The Redbirds are heading to Notre Dame, Ind. to compete in the Dennis Spark Relays Friday, Oct. 14, at 4:00 p.m.
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