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Swimming & Diving Shelby Hild

Redbirds Best Bulldogs in Season Opener, 182-97

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State swimming and diving team opened its 2019-20 campaign with a 182-97 victory over the visiting Butler Bulldogs on Saturday at Horton Pool. The victory over Butler marks the first career win for first-year head coach Caitlin Hamilton.

"I'm proud of the team for stepping up and getting the win today," Hamilton shared. "After a few weeks of tough training, it's great to see things start to come together. We have a few days to fine-tune races before heading to Champaign."

TOP PERFORMANCES

Five Redbirds won two individual events:

  • Julia Oostman – 1000-yard freestyle (10:49.36), 500-yard freestyle (5:17.72)
  • Katie Tillotson – 200-yard freestyle (1:57.55), 100-yard freestyle (54.37)
  • Jensen Keck – 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.48), 200-yard breaststroke (2:26.17)
  • Kierston Farley-Sepe – 200-yard butterfly (2:05.32), 200-yard IM (2:10.86)
  • Caroline Lecoeur – 1-meter diving (281.18), 3-meter diving (298.58)
    • Both marks qualify for NCAA Diving Zones

Makenna Licking and Julie Kolar helped ISU go 1-2-3 in the 100-yard freestyle event, finishing behind Tillotson with times of 54.93 and 55.75, respectively. Licking and Kolar each grabbed another pair of top-three finishes, as Licking's were in the 200-yard freestyle (2:00.58) and 100-yard freestyle (54.93). Kolar finished second in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.28) and third in the 100-yard freestyle (55.75) events.

Morgan Rosser went second and third in the 1000-yard freestyle (10:52.93) and 500-yard freestyle (5:25.17), respectively, while Alyssa Reinholz grabbed a third-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.35.

FRESHMEN FINISHES

Aside from Licking, the newcomer was joined by five fellow freshmen in the top-three of their respective events.

  • Madyson Morse – 100-yard breaststroke (1:08.12), 200-yard breaststroke (2:28.63)
  • Isabel Veliz – 100-yard backstroke (1:01.17), 200-yard backstroke (2:13. 02)

Collectively, Illinois State came out victorious in 12 of 16 events, while Hannah Pugh led Butler by securing three first-place finishes.

UP NEXT

The Redbirds will continue their season in Champaign, Illinois, on Thursday, when Illinois State takes on Illinois and Southern Illinois in a double dual.

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Players Mentioned

Jensen Keck

Jensen Keck

Junior
Caroline Lecoeur

Caroline Lecoeur

Sophomore
Alyssa Reinholz

Alyssa Reinholz

Sophomore
Morgan Rosser

Morgan Rosser

Sophomore
Katie Tillotson

Katie Tillotson

Junior
Kierston Farley-Sepe

Kierston Farley-Sepe

Junior
Julie Kolar

Julie Kolar

Freshman
Julia Oostman

Julia Oostman

Freshman
Maddie Hernandez

Maddie Hernandez

Freshman
Emily Keebler

Emily Keebler

Freshman

Players Mentioned

Jensen Keck

Jensen Keck

Junior
Caroline Lecoeur

Caroline Lecoeur

Sophomore
Alyssa Reinholz

Alyssa Reinholz

Sophomore
Morgan Rosser

Morgan Rosser

Sophomore
Katie Tillotson

Katie Tillotson

Junior
Kierston Farley-Sepe

Kierston Farley-Sepe

Junior
Julie Kolar

Julie Kolar

Freshman
Julia Oostman

Julia Oostman

Freshman
Maddie Hernandez

Maddie Hernandez

Freshman
Emily Keebler

Emily Keebler

Freshman