CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Leading by just two points heading into the final two events of Saturday's swimming and diving meet at UNI, the Redbirds edged the Panthers, 154-146, for their second-straight dual meet win. Illinois State's win over UNI marks the first for the Redbirds since the 2014-15 season.
"Today was a hard-fought battle," said head coach Caitlin Hamilton. "UNI has some young talent that showed up in a big way, and I'm very proud of our team for fighting for each and every point. While we have some fine-tuning left to do, I'm optimistic about what's coming for the rest of the year."
TOP PERFORMANCES
Six different Redbirds won individual events:
Emily Keebler – 400-yard IM (4:30.03)
Olivia Gonder – 100-yard freestyle (52.51)
Madyson Morse – 100-yard breaststroke (1:04.68)
Makenna Licking – 1,000-yard freestyle (10:27.28)
Raegen Follis – 200-yard freestyle (1:53.95)
Caroline Lecoeur – 1-meter diving (292.95), 3-meter diving (283.85)
Illinois State went 1-2-3 in the 200-yard freestyle, as Julie Kolar (1:55.21) and Mikayla Jasek (1:57.30) followed closely behind Follis. Cassidy Carey (2:05.41), Lauren Naeger (2:07.56) and Haley Rivera (2:07.58) scooped up nine points for the Redbirds in the 200-yard butterfly, finishing second, third and fourth, respectively.
ON THE BOARDS
For the second-straight week, Caroline Lecoeur swept the 1- and 3-meter diving events with scores of 292.95 and 283.85, respectively. Her score in the 1-meter event marks a season best, while teammate Kamryn Blake finished right behind Lecoeur with a score of 250.12.
DOWN TO THE WIRE
At the conclusion of the 3-meter diving event, and with just the 400-yard IM and 200-yard freestyle relay remaining, the Redbirds held a slim 133-131 advantage over the home team. A 1-2-4 finish by Emily Keebler (4:30.03), Haley Rivera (4:31.88) and Morgan Rosser (4:39.24), respectively, in the individual medley was the difference maker, as the trio racked up 15 points for ISU.
UP NEXT
Illinois State will gear up and get ready for its next meet – a tri-meet against Southern Illinois and Evansville in Carbondale, Illinois – on March 19.
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