NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State swimming and diving team sent its seniors out in style Friday, even with a last-minute change of plans.
With Evansville unable to make the trip due to impending inclement weather, the Redbirds still showcased the talents of its seniors, as Taylor Clayton, Tara Gidaszewski, Katelyn Kresal, Kelly Sanks and Courtney Taylor were honored before the meet.
Illinois State head swimming coach Scott Cameron was pleased with his team's effort, especially given the change in plans.
"Overall, I was happy with the effort that we had tonight," Cameron said. "With the change in circumstances, we were still able to get up and have some good swims, and people were able to finally see some of the things that we have been focusing on the past few weeks."
Both Rachel Root and Taylor finished first in two events Friday. Taylor swam a time of 2:24.52 seconds in the 200-yard breaststroke and a time of 1:00.14 seconds in the 100-yard individual medley event. Root prevailed in both the 100-yard backstroke (58.15) and the 200-yard backstroke event (2:06.12).
Rachel Holm earned herself a first-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke event, beating her teammates to the wall by almost four seconds (1:05.84). Freshman Maia Cain won the 100-yard butterfly event, with a time of 59.08 seconds. Â
Head diving Coach Phil Hoffmann said the change in the meet scenario was a challenge, but was happy to get another meet experience under his team's belt.
"It's important during this time of year to take advantage of all of the opportunities we have to compete," said Hoffmann.
Molly Schatz won the 1-meter diving event, while Sanks captured the top spot in the 3-meter event.
The final event of the evening was 200-yard freestyle relay. The winning relay team was composed of four seniors: Taylor, Kresal, Gidaszewski, and the senior diver, Sanks, as the anchor. The team clocked in a time of 1:57.94 seconds.
Friday's meet was the last meet to be held at Horton Pool this season. The Redbirds are back in action next weekend at the Shamrock Invitational, January 29-30.
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