EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Illinois State swimming and diving team finished off its regular-season schedule with a dual meet win over Evansville, 164.50-134.50, on Saturday. Senior Cecilia Holmes won three individual events, while diver Wenting Zhang won two.
Holmes touched the wall first in the 200-yard IM (2:10.27), 500-yard freestyle (5:13.37) and the 1000-yard freestyle (10:40.89). "It was a fantastic afternoon for Cecilia Holmes," head swimming coach Steve Paska said. Fellow senior Courtney Taylor won the 50-yard breaststroke (30.64), and finished in second place in both the 100-yard breaststroke (1:07.70) and 200-yard IM (2:11.01).
Marissa Yontz placed second in the 50-yard freestyle (24.94), 100-yard freestyle (52.66) and 200-yard freestyle (1:55.35). Senior Valerie Jones placed second in the 500-yard freestyle (5:17.74) and 1000-yard freestyle (10:50.10).
"The last dual meet is in the history books," said Paska. "I am very pleased that the Redbirds were victorious over Evansville, who had a terrific dual meet. The Purple Aces are a quality program.
"Our depth was the key ingredient for our success this afternoon."
On the diving side, Zhang won both the 1-meter event (321.60) and 3-meter event (351.83). Teammate Molly Schatz was second in the 1-meter (265.28) and third in the 3-meter (253.59). Her 1-meter score qualifies her for the NCAA zone meet, where she will compete along with Zhang.
Head diving coach Phil Hoffmann was very pleased with how his divers ended their final competition before the Missouri Valley Conference Meet.
"I was happy with the way our season ended," Hoffmann said. "Over these last few weeks of competition, I have been happy with the way our divers have been competing and training.
"Hat's off to Evansville. They have a great group of student-athletes that are very well coached. This was a fantastic meet on both the swimming side and diving side. I am looking forward to the conference meet."
The Redbirds have just over two weeks to prepare for the MVC Championship, which will be hosted by Southern Illinois.
Event Breakdown:
400-yard medley relay: The ISU team of Rachel Root, Alexis Nash, Katherine Nelson and Taylor placed second (4:41.23) … Samantha Schuckles, Rachel Holm, Kristin Verkler and Sarah Thomas finished in third (4:42.23).
1000-yard freestyle: Holmes won the event … Jones was second … Keely Hunt was third (11:01.73).
200-yard freestyle: Yontz was second … Yvette Kruk was third (2:00.26) … Laura Paskoff was fourth (2:01.98).
50-yard backstroke: Schuckles finished second (28.36) … Root was third (28.61) …Karley Licking was fifth (29.74).
50-yard breaststroke: Taylor won the event … Holm was second (31.05) … Jillena Everest was fifth (33.63).
100-yard butterfly: Nash was second (59.81) … Verkler was third (1:01.03) … Alyssa Swanson finished in fifth (1:02.99).
50-yard freestyle: Yontz placed second … Nelson was third (25.17) … Kristin Horney placed fifth (26.54).
1-meter diving: Zhang won the event … Schatz finished second … Kelly Sanks finished in fourth (210.15).
100-yard freestyle: Yontz finished in second … Verkler finished third (56.22) … Paskoff was fourth (56.67).
100-yard backstroke: Root finished in second (1:00.37) … Schuckles was fourth (1:02.11) … Licking was fifth (1:02.36).
100-yard breaststroke: Taylor claimed second … Holm finished in fourth (1:08.86) … Allison Soper was fifth (1:10.90).
500-yard freestyle: Holmes won the event … Jones was second … Kruk finished third (5:21.83).
50-yard butterflyÂ: Nash was second (26.88) … Nelson was fourth (28.27).
3-meter diving: Zhang won the event … Schatz was third … Taylor Clayton was fifth (222.98).
200-yard IM: Holmes won the event … Taylor finished second … Root was fifth (2:19.11).
400-yard freestyle relay: ISU relay consisting of Nelson, Paskoff, Verkler and Yontz finished in second place (3:34.59) … Kruk, Holm, Schuckles and Holmes finished in third (3:43.97).
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