Jan. 26, 2014
Fisher, Ind. -
Illinois State swimming and diving was victorious at the Butler Invitational on Sunday Jan. 26 in Fisher, Ind. The Redbirds beat out Xavier University, Youngstown State University, Butler University and University of Evansville earning themselves first-place at the invite.
Head coach Steve Paska is excited to begin training for the Missouri Valley Conference Championships after their win at the Butler Invitational.
"This was a fitting way for us to end the dual-meet portion of our schedule," said coach Paska. "We discussed with the student-athletes the Butler Invitational would be their last opportunity to race before the MVC Championships. I am very impressed with how they performed after traveling all morning to get to the invite."
The Redbirds started the invite with a first-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay (1:48.67). The team consisted of Sammy Schuckles, Courtney Taylor, Lexi Nash and Katherine Nelson.
Several Redbirds took home multiple first-place finishes. Senior April Livingston took home first-place in the 100-yard (1:07.63) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:24.09). Along with Livingston, senior Erica Halley placed first in the 50-yard freestyle (24.45) and100-yard freestyle (53.56). Cecilia Holmes finished first in three events at the invite, the 1650-yard freestyle (17:47.42), 500-yard freestyle (5:13.58) and 400-yard IM 4:37.16.
"The Butler Invitational was a nice way for our two senior swimmers to close out their dual-meet careers at Illinois State, both taking home multiple first-place finishes.," said coach Paska.
Marissa Yontz finished first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.99), and Nash won the 100-yard butterfly (57.94). Illinois State finished the invitational off with a first-place victory in the 400-freestyle relay (3:34.99 ) swam by Halley, Nelson, Kristin Verkler and Yontz.
The Redbird divers competed well for their second day of competition on the road. Diving coach Phil Hoffmann is ready to start preparing for the MVC Championships after this weekend.
"The Redbirds did well this weekend having back to back competitions Saturday and Sunday. This weekend's schedule will help prepare them for the championships next month, and give them a leg up as we prepare for conference. The Butler invite was a great opportunity to dive against conference opponent, Evansville this late in the season. Now, we are ready to start preparing in the weeks to come for conference."
Wenting Zhang won both the 1-meter (293.70) and 3-meter (305.25) events at the invite. Zhang was followed on the 1-meter by Molly Schatz earning second-place (218.30) and Kelly Sanks earning third-place (209.45). Maggie Kopp placed fourth (204.20) on the 3-meter board and Sanks took fifth-place (203.80).
"Today's win was a total team effort, and a number of student-athletes were victorious. Everyone contributed to the point total at the invitational," said Paska. Now we are getting ready to rest up for the MVC Championships in two and a half weeks."
The Redbirds will be preparing the next 17 days for the Missouri Valley Conference Championships. The MVCs will take place on Feb. 13 in Carbondale, Ill.
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Butler Invitational Results 
