Nov. 10, 2011
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -
The Illinois State swimming and diving team prepares to travel to Illinois to compete in a dual meet Friday at 6 p.m at the ARC in Champaign. The Redbirds head into the meet following a two week break, after starting their '11-'12 season with four straight weeks of competition.
The Redbirds are coming off a 177.5-122.5 victory against Nebraska in an away meet Oct. 22. Head coach Steve Paska says the two weeks of pure training came at an ideal time in the season.
"This break has helped improve the student-athletes' training capacity and volume," Paska said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how we perform against a solid Big Ten swimming program at Illinois."
Redbird senior Brittany Tazzioli was named Missouri Valley Conference Diver of the Week Oct. 25, after her 1st place finishes in both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards at the dual meet against Nebraska-Omaha. Tazzioli scored a 249.75 in the 1-meter dive, and a 237.25 in the 3-meter dive.
Freshman swimmer Valerie Jones also led the Redbirds to their Oct. 22 victory with a 1st place finish in the 1000-yard freestyle and the 400-yard IM. Jones' time of 4:38.86 in the 400-yard IM also gave the freshman a season-best swim.
This weekend's competition also marks the final dual meet before the Zippy Invitational in Akron, Ohio, the first weekend of December.
"This competition is going to be a great evaluation tool for us as we get ready for the Zippy Invite," said Paska. "It is all about finding out which individuals are going to step up in which events."
The Redbird diving team will also be traveling to Illinois for the dual meet this weekend. Head diving coach Phil Hoffmann says this is a competition he looks forward to for his divers every year.
"It is great for our student-athletes to dive so close to home, and yet still get a Big Ten competition level experience," said Hoffmann. "This meet falls in a great place in our season because it prepares us for the championship-format meet in December."
The meet held this Friday will also be senior night and the last home meet for Illinois.
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