Nov. 5, 2005

The Fighting Illini traveled east to Ohio to swim in a tri-meet hosted by Miami of Ohio. Illinois lost 169-125 to the unbeaten RedHawks but managed to pick up a win against Marshall 185-103.

"We had a repeat of the Louisville meet in that we came out slow. We had some close races and were touched out by very small margins, but those little time differences added up. We came back in the second half of the meet and swam with a lot of heart," commented head coach Sue Novitsky.

Top performances included first place finishes in the 50 (23.75) and 100 (51.58) free for junior standout Barbie Viney and Marissa Clapp's first place finish in the 200 breast (2:20.59); which set a personal best time and moves her up Illinois' list of all-time best times. Other first place finishes included senior Christina Brunka who captured first in the 100 fly with a time of 57.99 and the 400 free relay team consisting of Meghan Farrell, Britta Jansson, Christina Brunka and Barbie Viney (3:32.42).

Diver Jackie Bain had her best meet so far this season scoring a season high 241.45 in the 1-meter that placed her third. Freshman Marina Mendoza finished eighth and Abbey Bernardo placed ninth in her first meet back from a nagging foot injury. Bain and Mendoza captured sixth and seventh place respectfully in the 3-meter.

"We need to learn to come out right from the start. I told the team that it is hard to come from behind and put our backs against the wall," added Novitsky.