The Illinois State swimming and diving team will compete at the Zippy Invitational in Akron, Ohio this weekend. The Invite is a three-day event beginning on December 5 through December 7.
Preliminary heats start at 9 a.m., Friday and Saturday, with finals for both days starting at 6 p.m. Prelims for Sunday start at 9 a.m., with the finals scheduled for 4 p.m. The top-24 swimmers from the prelims will qualify for finals.
This weekend will be the 15th-straight year the Redbirds will compete at the Zippy Invite. Last year, the Redbirds finished in first place with 1550.50 points. Head coach Steve Paska reflects on the importance of this meet.
"The number of teams competing this weekend is fewer this year than in years past, but I believe this weekend will be an exciting 2014 Zippy Invite," Paska said. "All of the participating schools have had very fast swims for the fall semester, and I am looking forward to seeing the Redbird swimmers compete.
"Looking back, it is amazing that this is the 15th year in a row we have competed at this invite." Paska added, "I am looking forward to seeing this talented group of seniors, influx of newcomers and strong core of sophomores and juniors come together and compete at the 2014 Zippy Invitational."
Diving preliminaries begin at 1 p.m., on both Friday and Saturday. Head coach Phil Hoffmann and his divers are eager to get back on the boards.
"I look forward to the Zippy Invitational every year," Hoffmann said. "With the variety that this meet has, it is a great experience for Illinois State. Clarion is always a power house, and they will be a tough test. Akron is also consistent with talented divers. Marshall University is a newer addition, however, they will be a strong competitor.
"With the rest from the holiday, the girls are ready to compete," Hoffmann said. "They are back in great form and I think this is a great way to end the first half of the season."
This is the final competition for the Redbirds in 2014. They will continue their season January 4 at the Copa Coqui Invitational in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The meet is set to begin at 6 a.m. (CST).
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
