NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State swimming & diving is set to kick off its 2025-26 season Friday afternoon hosting Quincy at Horton Pool. The swim-only meet is set to begin at 3 p.m.
Friday's meet will serve as the Redbirds' Breast Cancer Awareness meet. Fans who donate $20 will receive a special swim and dive t-shirt. All proceeds will directly go to the OSF Healthcare Center.
Illinois State will face off against Quincy for the second consecutive year after prevailing against the Hawks after claiming 12 event wins and recording a 174-80 point total last season.
The Redbirds return to action in 2025-26 after a seventh-place finish at the Missouri Valley Championships in the first year under head coach Riley Hilbrandt. In Hilbrandt's first season, she guided Illinois State to historical marks, which included four school records, 16 top-10 marks, and five event medalists at the MVC title meet.
In her second season at the helm, Hilbrandt returns veteran experience to her team with 17 Redbird student-athletes returning in 2025-26. Graduate Mia Snow highlights the returning Redbirds after a record-breaking campaign last year. Snow notched three school records on her path to a 2024-25 MVC First Team selection. Alongside Snow, seniors Chloe Tyler, Delaney Boulden, and Giulia Basco return after earning an MVC Honorable Mention selection just a year ago.
This past offseason, Hilbrandt made several additions to the Redbird roster and the coaching staff. In 2025-26, Illinois State welcomed seven newcomers to the roster, including six freshmen, Elle Dameworth, Bayler Fowler, Reese Huber, Ava Ostendorf, Megan Sego, and Riley Snakenburg, and transfer Bailey Gott from Grand Canyon University. On the coaching staff, Hilbrandt made three additions, adding Sienna Breton, Kennedy Gilbertson, and former Redbird swimmer Lauren Wisdom to her staff.
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