NORMAL, Ill. – New upgrades to Horton Pool will be on display when the Illinois State swimming and diving team hosts its annual Red and White Intrasquad Meet Saturday.
While the 2017-18 Redbird swimming and diving team competes in front of a public audience for the first time this season, new bleachers and a new pool liner installed at Horton Pool will also be on display for the first time since the Redbirds last competed at their home pool.Â
The Red and White Scrimmage is set to begin at 12 noon on Saturday. Admission is free.
"We are very excited with the new updates the pool has received and we are excited to showcase these improvements to the public during our Red and White Meet," said Illinois State head swimming coach Scott Cameron. "This will be our first chance to see our team get up and really race each other and we're looking forward to seeing our returners get up and go this weekend, as well as getting our first chance to see how our new freshmen compete. It will be a great and fun opportunity to see where we are at before heading into the dual meet part of our season in the coming weeks."
The new bleachers were installed in June. The installation of the new pool liner was completed earlier this month. Other updates included upgraded LED lighting and a new HVAC system.
"I am really looking forward to getting in a meet environment as look to prepare for the upcoming season," said Illinois State head diving coach Phil Hoffmann. "Additionally, with all the improvements that have been made to Horton Pool, I am looking forward to show it off to our families and fans."
Illinois State returns one All-Missouri Valley Conference First-Team honoree from a year ago in Jensen Keck, as well as a quintet that earned All-MVC Honorable Mention status in: Maia Cain, Rachel Holm, Karley Licking, Savannah Rubocki and Kelsey Toland.
The Redbirds will officially open the 2017-18 season at home against Indiana State on Sept. 30.
For live updates and more, follow @RedbirdSwim on Twitter.
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