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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