University of Illinois
Michigan Invitational
Sprints Pace Illini on Day 1 of Michigan Invitational
January 12, 2007 | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 12, 2007
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Senior Meghan Farrell finished fifth in the 50 freestyle in a time of 23.64, and sophomore Marissa Clapp took sixth in the 200 IM in 2:05.11, as Illinois sits in fourth place after day one of the Michigan Invitational. No. 13 Indiana is in the lead with 405 points after one day, No. 19 Notre Dame is second with 376 and No. 10 Michigan is in third with 331 points.
"We definitely raced pretty tired and we are pretty tired," Illinois coach Sue Novitsky said, "and that definitely showed tonight. We traveled today, so it was a very long day, but that's one of the things I wanted us to be able to work on because of our new travel regulations for the Big Ten Championships."
In addition to Farrell's finish in the 50 free, senior Barbie Viney placed seventh in the event in 23.84. The 200 free relay of Viney, Becca Poetz, Michelle Grandcolas and Farrell placed fifth in 1:35.31.
"I'm not concerned about overall team placing at this meet - we're swimming against some of the top teams in the country," Novitsky said. "But I know we can be a lot more competitive and race a lot smarter and focus on our details more than we did today, and that's one thing that I want to see tomorrow. We have two big sessions with lots of opportunities to step up and improve."
The meet's second day begins with a first session at 8 a.m. (CT), while the second session starts at 3 p.m. (CT).
