ELKHART, Ind. -- The Illinois State 400-yard freestyle relay team broke an eight-year-old school record to close out the final day of the CSCAA National Invitational Championships at Elkhart Health and Aquatics in Elkhart, Indiana.
The relay team, which included sophomore Olivia Gonder, freshman Emma Feltzer, sophomore Diana Walker and junior Madyson Morse, combined for a time of 3:24.52, edging the previous 2014 school record by .03 seconds. Gonder started the 'Birds off strong, swimming a lifetime-best time of 51.58 seconds on the lead-off 100-yard freestyle leg. With Gonder's strong start and three solid legs from Feltzer, Walker and Morse, the Redbirds finished 14th overall to score points toward ISU's team total on the weekend.
"Learning how to swim fast in March takes time and patience," Head Swimming Coach Caitlin Hamilton said. "These six athletes all stepped up in big ways this week and fought hard through a very competitive meet, capping it off with a school record setting relay. We're so proud of the year we had and excited for what's to come."
Earlier in the day, Gonder advanced to the finals in the 100-yard IM with a time of 57.63 seconds in the prelims. In the finals, Gonder improved her time by .07, swimming the 19th-fastest time at 57.56 seconds.
PRELIMS PERFORMANCES
21. Madyson Morse, 200-yard breaststroke, 2:18.50
28. Cassidy Carey, 200-yard backstroke, 2:03.04
35. Lauren Naeger, 200-yard butterfly, 2:04.96
49. Cassidy Carey, 200-yard butterfly, 2:07.06
For all latest on Illinois State swimming & diving, follow the Redbirds on Twitter and Instagram @redbirdswimdive.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
