The Illinois State swimming and diving team finished in second place (1,615) out of 10 teams Sunday at the Zippy Invite. Host Akron won the meet (1,734), Marshall came in third place (1,595), Bloomsburg placed fourth (977) and Clarion claimed fifth (880).
The Redbirds finished out the weekend breaking two school records with many setting new personal- and season-best times. Head coach Steve Paska was proud of the Redbirds' effort Sunday.
"This was a fantastic way to end the 2014 Zippy Invite," Paska said. "Beginning in third place Sunday morning, we held on and took a slight lead after the 200-yard breaststroke. We maintained momentum and finished the day winning the 400-yard freestyle relay.
"Hat's off to Akron, head coach Brian Peresie and the entire swimming and diving program. They are a very talented team and had a great weekend."
Senior swimmer Marissa Yontz broke the Illinois State record in the 100-yard freestyle (50.16), setting a new personal-best time. The 100-yard freestyle record was her second school record she broke this weekend, with the first being the 50-yard freestyle (23.15) on Friday evening.
"Since the beginning of the semester, Marissa's performances have been consistent meet after meet," Paska said. "In my tenure here at Illinois State, she has had the fastest sprinting fall semester I've ever witnessed. Breaking two school records and being apart of the winning 400-yard freestyle relay in one weekend is a tough task and I'm very impressed."
Rachel Root broke the school record in the 200-yard backstroke (2:01.31), finishing in fourth place and setting a new personal-best.
The 400-yard freestyle relay team, consisting of Yontz, Laura Paskoff, Kristin Verkler and Katherine Nelson, won the event (3:25.36), with a new season-best time. Yvette Kruk, Samantha Schuckles, Courtney Taylor and Cecilia Holmes finished fifth in the event (3:31.52).
In the 1650-yard freestyle, Kruk swam a personal-best time (17.32.58), finishing in 10thplace. Maddie Farrell (17:48.79), Jillena Everest (17:48.86), Paskoff (17:49.79) and Tara Gidaszewski (18:24.40) also had personal-best times in the 1650-freestyle. Season-best times were set by Keely Hunt (17:41.16) and Sara Stansell (18:03.37).
Season-best times were set in the 200-yard backstroke by Karley Licking (2:06.41), Schuckles (2:07.32), and Gidaszewski (2:08.54). In the 200-yard backstroke preliminaries, Katelyn Kresal swam a season-best time (2:05.59).
In the 100-yard freestyle, Nelson finished seventh (52.27), claiming a new season-best time. Sarah Thomas earned a new season-best time (53.57), also in the 100-yard freestyle.
More season-best times were achieved in the 200-yard breaststroke by Taylor (2:20.00), who claimed fourth-place, Allison Soper (2:24.49) and Valerie Jones (2:24.65). Rachel Holm (2:23.25) and Everest (2:25.08) swam personal-best times in the event. In the 200-yard breaststroke preliminaries, Holmes earned a new season-best (2:22.79).
In the 200-yard butterfly, five season-best swims were made by Verkler (2:06.19), who finished fourth, Alexis Nash (2:09.50), Katie Breger (2:10.98), Alyssa Swanson (2:15.04) and Emily Langlotz (2:19.67).
The Redbirds 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).
Event Breakdown
1650-yard freestyle – Ashley Drazowski won the event (17:00.65).
200-yard backstroke – Ludwika Szynal of Akron won the event (1:55.04) … Root came in fourth (2:01.31).
100-yard freestyle – Yontz won the event (50.16) … Nelson placed seventh (52.27).
200-yard breaststroke – Nele Albers of Marshall finished first (2:19.17) … Taylor was fourth (2:20.00) … Holmes finished eighth (2:24.57).
200-yard butterfly – Erin Seiler of Akron won (2:01.19) … Verkler was fourth (2:06.19).
400-yard freestyle relay – Yontz, Paskoff, Verkler and Nelson won (3:25.36) … Kruk, Schuckles, Taylor and Holmes were fifth (3:31.52).
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