Feb. 15, 2011
MVC Championships Preview with Steve Paska
NORMAL, Ill. -
After six months of training, dual meets and competition, the Illinois State swimming and diving team will compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, Feb. 17-19, in Carbondale, Ill. at the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium.
Illinois State was picked to finish second behind Missouri State in the pre-championship poll, voted on by the league's head coaches. Southern Illinois is predicted to finish in third place, followed by Evansville in fourth and Northern Iowa in fifth.
The Redbirds ended the regular season with a 5-3 record after defeating Youngstown State, Evansville, Western Illinois and two dual meets against Northern Iowa. In addition to its dual meet schedule, the team placed second in the Zippy Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
Head coach Steve Paska is looking forward to the team's performance in Carbondale.
"We have been looking forward to this year's conference championship meet since the end of last season, and it is amazing how fast the year has year gone by," Paska said. "I believe the team will be challenged in Carbondale, and due to the depth of the conference we will see one of the fastest MVC Championships ever. I look forward to each member of the team competing to the best of their ability this weekend and having a very successful weekend overall."
Sophomore Danielle Schumacher currently holds the top time in the conference in the 500-yard freestyle, and has also recorded top-three times in 9 out of 14 events during the 2010-11 season. Freshman Erica Halley and sophomore Sarah Rendek both hold two top-three times each going into the championship meet, including Rendek's conference best time in the 200-yard butterfly.
Diving coach Phil Hoffmann believes the divers are well prepared for the upcoming championship meet.
"There are deeper teams in the valley from top to bottom," Hoffmann said. "We have prepared very well throughout the season as we competed against conference schools and other great programs, and have a good idea of where we stand."
Competing in their final meet as Redbirds, are the seven senior student-athletes, Ashley Bachler, Christine Byron, Caitlin Costa, Molly Gomberg, Liza Perrino, Amy Schaefer and Lauren Terzis.
"As our seven seniors end their Redbird careers, I look forward to seeing their final MVC Championship," Paska said. "They are a group of student-athletes who have been successful in both the pool and the classroom, and have been a pleasure to coach."
The preliminary events for the championship meet will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. on Saturday. The finals will follow at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 4 p.m. on Saturday.
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