CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Illinois State swimming and diving team finished its second day at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in third place behind leader Missouri State and host Southern Illinois. The redbirds clocked seven season-best times, five personal-best times and one school record.
Marissa Yontz had yet another solid day, winning the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 23.10. Yontz was also part of the fourth-place 200-yard freestyle relay team, comprised of Samantha Schuckles, Alexis Nash and Katherine Nelson. Yontz's split of 22.94 set a new school record and a satisfied the NCAA's B-cut qualifying standard.
"I am very proud of what Marissa has done tonight," said head coach Steve Paska. "It was very fun to watch her reach one of her goals that she had this season and I am looking forward to watching her perform these final two days."
Junior Courtney Taylor scored a second-place finish and personal-best time in the 200-yard IM, with a time of 2:03.87. In the 500-yard freestyle, Cecilia Holmes swam a season-best time (5:00.20), while Kristin Verkler turned in a personal-best time (5:01.38).
In this morning's preliminaries, season bests were set in the 500-yard freestyle by Grace Soltys (5:08.31), Maddie Farrell (5:13.15), Brittany Felice (5:17.16) and Keely Hunt (5:09.15). In the 200-yard IM prelims, Rachel Holm clocked a personal-best time of 2:07.40. Emily Langlotz (25.22), Allison Soper (25.56) and Sarah Thomas (24.39) all set season-best times in the 50-yard freestyle prelims.
"The prelims didn't go according to plan, but I am very impressed with how the swimmers came back for the finals," Paska said. "They improved, swam faster and scored more points. I believe this momentum will carry on to tomorrow morning.
"Tomorrow is one of our strongest days and I'm looking forward to seeing how this team will attack the prelim session."
Senior diver Wenting Zhang was strong in the 1-meter diving finals, securing a third-place finish with a score of 344.85.
"I'm very proud of the way the girls performed today," head diving coach Phil Hoffmann said. "I thought they had a great first day and I am happy with the contribution they made toward the team goal. I'm looking forward to the 3-meter competition tomorrow."
The 2015 MVC Championship continues Friday, with the 400-yard IM, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard backstroke, 3-meter diving and 400-yard medley relay.
Event Breakdown
500-yard freestyle: Missouri State won the event … Yvette Kruk was 11th (5:00.12) … Holmes finished in 12th (5:00.20) … Verkler was 13th (5:01.38).
200-yard IM: Missouri State won the event … Taylor was second … Holm came in eighth (2:12.08).
50-yard freestyle: Yontz won the event … Nelson was 11th (24.19) … Schuckles finished in 15th (24.44).
1-meter diving: Zhang finished in third … Molly Schatz finished in seventh (244.25) … Kelly Sanks came in 14th (220.90).
200-yard freestyle relay: Evansville won the event … The ISU relay comprised of Yontz, Schuckles, Nash and Nelson finished fourth.
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