Redbirds' Yontz and Holmes Win Freestyle Events at FIU

MIAMI – Illinois State swimming and diving senior Marissa Yontz won the 50-yard freestyle (23.34) and 100-yard freestyle (52.42), while senior Cecilia Holmes won the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:30.30), but it wasn't enough as the Redbirds fell to host Florida International by a final score of 174-126, Friday, at Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center.

Courtney Taylor finished second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.50), the 200-yard breaststroke (2:20.73) and 400-yard IM (4:34.32).

Season-best times were made by Katherine Nelson in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, Alexis Nash in the 100-yard butterfly, Alyssa Swanson in the 1,000-yard freestyle and 400-yard IM, Laura Paskoff in the 1,000-yard freestyle, Karley Licking in the 400-yard IM, Jillena Everest in the 200-yard breaststroke and Rachel Holm in the 200-yard breaststroke. 

Coach Steve Paska was impressed with his team's performance. 

"Due a completely different environment, an outdoor pool and the travel, I was impressed with the team competing against one of the best teams we will compete against all year," Paska said. "I was pleased with how the team performed consistently with the same focus and intensity."

All-American diver Wenting Zhang won her event. Zhang had a solid performance with a score of 340.20 in the 1-meter competition and 368.92 in the 3-meter competition.   

Diving coach Phil Hoffmann was pleased with the divers' performance. 

"It was a unique experience for the divers to dive in a meet outside, most of them for the first time," Hoffmann said. "I was very happy with the way in which they competed and represented Illinois State.  They each had bright spots and we look forward to carrying the momentum forward for tomorrow's meeting against Miami."

The Redbirds are back in action tomorrow at Miami at 10 a.m. 

Event Breakdown

200-yard medley relay – FIU won with a time of 1:46.10 … The ISU squad of Samantha Schuckles, Taylor, Nash and Yontz was second (1:48.33).

1,000-yard freestyle – Holmes won with a time of 10:30.30 … Paskoff was fourth (10:50.36) … Keely Hunt was fifth (10:52.12).

200-yard freestyle – FIU's Johanna Gustafsdottir won with a time of 1:53.20 … ISU's Kristen Verkler finished third (1:56.58) … Nelson finished in fourth (1:57.53) … Yvette Kruk was fifth (1:59.74).

100-yard backstroke – FIU's Karin Tomeckova won with a time of 56.96 … Rachel Root took second (59.32) … Schuckles came in fourth (1:02.05).

100-yard breaststroke – FIU's Jess Chadwick won with a time of 1:05.17 … ISU's Taylor finished second (1:05.50) … Holm finished fourth (1:07.78) … Everest finished fifth (1:11.19).

200-yard butterfly – FIU's Valerie Inghels won with a time of 2:06.30 … Nash finished fifth (2:10.69)

50-yard freestyle – Yontz won with a time of 24.34 … Nelson finished fourth (24.55) … Paskoff took fifth (25.19).

100-yard freestyle – Yontz won, clocking a time of 52.42 … Nelson finished second (53.10) … Verkler finished fifth (54.55).

200-yard backstroke – FIU's Silvia Scalia won with a time of 1:58.77 … Root finished third (2:08.86) … Schuckles took fourth (2:14.36) … Breger was fifth (2:14.41).

200-yard breaststroke – FIU's Gustafsdottir won with a time of 2:19.23 … Taylor placed second (2:20.73) … Everest placed fourth (2:29.65) … Holm placed fifth (2:30.73).

500-yard freestyle – FIU's Chadwick won with a time of 5:02.95 … Holmes finished fourth (5:13.77) … Kruk finished fifth (5:14.72).

100-yard butterfly – FIU's Jenny Deist won with a time of 57.44 … Nash finished second (57.79) … Verkler finished third (59.82) … Sarah Thomas was fourth (1:00.51) … Grace Soltys was fifth (1:02.73).

400-yard IM – FIU's Gustafsdottir won with a time of 4:28.16 ... Taylor finished second with a time of 4:34.32 … Holmes finished third (4:40.99) … Swanson was fourth (4:46.14) … Root was fifth (4:51.14).

200-yard freestyle relay – FIU won with a time of 1:36.42 … ISU's Yontz, Verkler, Schuckles and Nelson came in second (1:38.07) …  Nash, Thomas, Paskoff  and Soltys finished third (1:40.98).

1-meter diving – Zhang won with a final score of 340.20 … Molly Schatz finished in fourth place (260.92).

3-meter diving – Zhang took first with a final score of 368.92 … Schatz claimed fourth place (232.57).

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