Oct. 20, 2006

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Illinois head coach Sue Novitsky returned to her alma mater on Friday night for the fifth time in her seven-year tenure and again the Illini felt at home, claiming a 171.5-102.5 victory over the Oakland Grizzlies.

In the team's first meet of the season, the Illini seized 12 first-place awards, including record performances by freshmen Amy Johnson, Jen Ivarson and sophomore Marissa Clapp. Johnson took first in the 100 breast with a lifetime-best time of 1:06.64. Clapp finished second to Ivarson in the 200 fly in a lifetime-best time of 2:06.41.

Ivarson's mark of 2:04.17 in the 200 fly accounts for the 10th-fastest time in school history. The Oak Brook, Ill. native also collected another top finish in the 100 fly in a time of 57.74. Collectively, Ivarson teamed with fellow freshman Cece Marizu, Clapp and senior Barbie Viney to win the 400 medley relay in 3:53.82.

The Fighting Illini 400 medley relay B team consisting of sophomore Katie Theissen, senior Leigh Ann Tracy, sophomore Ali Keehn and senior Meghan Farrell finished second.

Orange and Blue swept the 200 free: Viney, first (153.27); Theissen, second (1:55.50); Forsberg, third (1:55.74); Stevens, fourth (1:56.85).

Additional first-place finishes included Farrell in the 50 and 100 free in times of 23.86 and 53.24, respectively; Viney in the 500 free (5:00.95); Clapp in 200 breast (2:18.76) and 200 IM (2:06.36); junior Abbey Bernardo in both 1-meter and 3-meter diving and the 400 free relay.

"Overall for our first meet, we were good in spots and we were not so pretty in spots," Novitsky said. "It gives us an opportunity to come back tomorrow against Michigan State and touch some things up. I just hope we can take a step forward tomorrow and make the improvements."

Illinois resumes on Saturday at noon CT in East Lansing, Mich.

Friday's results: Illinois 171.5, Oakland 102.5

Illinois top finishes:
400 relay (a): Marizu, Clapp, Ivarson, Viney     3:53.82
	   (b): Theissen, Tracy, Keehn, Farrell   (second place)
200 free: 1. Viney                         1:53.27
          2. Theissen                      1:55.50
          3. Forsberg                      1:55.74
          4. Stevens                       1:56.85
100 breast: Amy Johnson                    1:06.64 (lifetime best)
200 fly:      1. Ivarson                   2:04.17 (10th fastest in Illini history)
              2. Clapp                     2:06.41 (lifetime best)
50 free:      Farrell                      23.86
200 breast:   Clapp                        2:18.76
100 free:     Farrell                      53.24
500 free:     Viney                        5:00.95
100 fly:      Ivarson                      57.74
200 IM:       Clapp                        2:06.36
400 freestyle relay took first place
Diving:        Bernardo                 first in 1-meter and 3-meter diving