NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State Swimming & Diving returns to action on Saturday when the Redbirds host Marquette for Senior Day at Horton Pool. The meet will begin with 3-meter diving at noon, followed by senior recognition at 12:50 p.m. The first swimming event is scheduled for 1 p.m. Live results will be posted here.
Illinois State will recognize four members of the Redbird senior class on Saturday, including Sylvia Admire, Selena Corona, Bailey Gott and Shelby Gourley. The group has contributed to the program both in and out of the pool, earning academic and athletic accomplishments throughout their careers at Illinois State.
Since taking over the program, head coach Ryan Evans has seen the senior class take an active role in helping lead the team, particularly when it comes to supporting younger teammates. The seniors have also helped with communication and day-to-day organization, taking responsibility for smaller team details and helping Evans navigate his transition to Illinois State.
"They've done a good job of being leaders and being strong teammates for their younger teammates," Evans said. "They've done a good job taking the lead on those smaller little details that the coaching staff doesn't have to worry about."
Admire, a mid-distance swimmer from Claremore, Oklahoma, is a four-year member of the program. She has competed in three Missouri Valley Conference Championship meets during her career, including a 24th-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle at the 2026 championships. She also earned Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete recognition in 2025. Admire will graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree and plans to pursue a career in elementary education.
Corona, a diver from Fayetteville, Arkansas, has represented the Redbirds on the conference stage in each of the last two seasons after transferring from Lindenwood University. She plans to graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree in psychology before completing a fifth year of academics and earning a graduate certificate. She then plans to continue her education in graduate school.
Gott, a mid-distance swimmer from Springfield, Missouri, joined the Redbirds as a transfer from Grand Canyon University ahead of last season. She recorded season-best times in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke and 200-yard freestyle at the 2026 MVC Championships. Gott will graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree in marketing and plans to pursue a career in integrated marketing communications.
Gourley, a four-year member of the program from Bluffton, South Carolina, has competed in three MVC Championships during her career, recording a 23rd-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke last season. She also earned MVC Scholar-Athlete recognition in 2025. Gourley will graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree in nursing and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric nursing following graduation.
"It's hard to believe my class's senior day is this weekend," Admire said. "I feel like my time at ISU has flown by, and this year has felt a little bittersweet. I am incredibly grateful for the girls I've met through this team, both current and graduated. Thank you to ISU swim and dive for giving me an unforgettable four years!"
LAST TIME OUT
Illinois State most recently competed in a two-day meet against Ohio University on Oct. 15-16, falling 293-57. Despite the team result, the Redbirds turned in several strong individual performances, with nearly every swim resulting in a season-best or lifetime-best mark across the two days of competition.
The opening day was highlighted by a pair of program-record-book performances in the 200-yard breaststroke. Ava Ostendorf won the event in 2:16.32, moving into third in program history, while Molly Allison finished second in 2:16.80 to climb into sixth. The Redbirds also recorded multiple lifetime-best performances in the pool and on the diving boards.
On the second day, Selena Corona recorded a lifetime-best score of 252.83 points in the 3-meter dive to finish third. Freya Hingston added a third-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly with a lifetime-best time of 57.51 seconds, while Julia Bartula placed third in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:35.03.
Evans said the Ohio meet provided valuable experience with its evening and morning sessions as Illinois State prepares for the Hawkeye Invite next month.
SCOUTING MARQUETTE
Illinois State will welcome Marquette, which is competing in its inaugural season as a swimming and diving program. The Golden Eagles have already faced a challenging early-season schedule, including dual meets against Missouri Valley Conference member UNI and Iowa of the Big Ten. Marquette fell to UNI, 103-102, and Iowa, 189-70, while placing second among six teams at the Wisconsin Showcase hosted by UW-Milwaukee.
Marquette's roster features 21 student-athletes, including 16 freshmen, as the program builds its foundation in its first season. Despite being a young team, the Golden Eagles have turned in several strong early-season performances.
"I'm really impressed looking at the results and what they've done, and it's going to be a very challenging meet," Evans said. "Even though they are a first-year program, they're a very impressive first-year program."
The matchup also provides an opportunity to establish a nonconference series between the two programs. Evans said Illinois State is looking to travel to Marquette next season, and he hopes the dual meet can continue in the years ahead.
Event Schedule
-
200-yard medley relay
-
1,000-yard freestyle
-
200-yard freestyle
-
100-yard backstroke
-
100-yard breaststroke
-
200-yard butterfly
-
50-yard freestyle
-
1-meter diving
-
100-yard freestyle
-
200-yard backstroke
-
200-yard breaststroke
-
500-yard freestyle
-
100-yard butterfly
-
10-minute break
-
400-yard individual medley
-
200-yard freestyle relay
