LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Illinois State swimming and diving team finished their first day at the Louisville Invite Friday in fourth place, as the Redbirds competed against Louisville, Ohio, Kenyon and Wright State.
Host Louisville leads the pack with 679.5 points. Illinois State is finished the day with 248 points, coming in ahead of Wright State (182). Ohio is in second (397) and Kenyon is in third (316.5).
Illinois State head swimming coach Scott Cameron was pleased with how his team performed on the first day of the three-day meet.
"We had a huge number of season best times in both prelims and finals, as well as a few lifetime bests," said Cameron. "The girls made some great adjustments from their morning swims and swam some smarter races this evening in the finals. Overall, I'm very happy with this morning and am looking to carry this momentum over into tomorrow."
The 400-yard medley relay consisting of Rachel Root, Rachel Holm, Kristin Verkler and Courtney Taylor swam to a third place finish, with a final time of 3:47.57. The 200-yard freestyle relay consisting of Taylor, Holm, Laura Paskoff and Sarah Thomas raced to a fourth place finish with a time of 1:36.09. Taylor also earned a seventh place finish in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:04.93.
Illinois State divers competed in the 3-meter diving event Friday, as Kelly Sanks earned 212.85 points, finishing in fifth place, while sophomore Kristen Larson finished in seventh place with 188.7 points.
Illinois State head diving coach, Phil Hoffmann was happy to see both of his divers earn points.
"I was happy with the way Kelly and Kristen performed today," said Hoffmann. "It was so important that they got off on a good note to start the weekend."
The meet will resume tomorrow, with prelims beginning at 9 a.m. and finals starting at 6 p.m.
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