Dec. 4, 2004
Champaign, Ill. -
ILL-IND Complete Results in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The University of Illinois Swimming and Diving team had their eyes set on sending the seniors out a winner in the home finale, but were edged out by the No. 23 Indiana Hoosiers 155-145 on Senior Day at IMPE pool in Champaign Saturday. The Illini now move to 3-2 on the season after the final home event of the season.
"This was a tough, competitive meet today," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "I didn't think we were as sharp as we could have been, but we still had a lot of great swims and season bests. We had to dig deep today and fight through, this one could have went either way today, a couple seconds here-and-there and we could have won."
In the 200 medley relay, the Illini went 2-3 to start the meet. The team of Mallory Craft Kathryn Easey, Christina Brunka and Meghan Farrell touched out in a time of 1:49.19, just ahead of the Illinois team of Caroline Moore, Trisha Lakatos, Michelle Grandcolas and Becca Poetz (1:51.11). The Illini finished their relay performance on a high note, as they were victorious with Amy Downing, Farrell, Brunka and Barbie Viney swimming to a 3:29.73 time.
Some senior leadership helped bolster the Illini as Lakatos earned her first double-victory of the season sweeping the 100 and 200 breast. The senior finished the 100 in a time of 1:05.10 and touched out in the 200 in a time of 2:21.98. Viney finished with a banner day as well as she was also a double-winner taking the 100 and 200 free. In the 100 free, Viney finished with a time of 51.58 and in the 200, she posted a 1:51.38 mark.
Novitsky's team received a pleasant surprise as sophomore Jessica Rothenberg exploded onto the scene grabbing a second place finish in the 200 fly and then topped off her career day with a 400 IM victory in 4:32.61.
"Jessica was terrific today," Novitsky said. "The way she stepped up in both of her events today was huge for the team. I thought Barbie and our seniors also gave tremendous efforts today. For the seniors this was their last home meet and to come through with a big day like they did says a lot about them."
The Illini also had a strong showing in the 1000 free, with senior Kirsten Koepcke placing second in a time of 10:12.72. Brunka finished second in the 100 fly with a time of 57.78.
The Illini return to action on Jan. 8-9 as they travel to California to take part in the Irvine Invitational.
