University of Illinois
Ohio State Invitational
Illini Complete Second Day of Ohio State Invitational
December 1, 2007 | Swimming & Diving
Dec. 1, 2007
Columbus, Ohio - Exciting races in the final session highlighted the second day for the Illinois swimming and diving team at the Ohio State Invitational. The Orange and Blue continue to sit in sixth position of the 13 teams in the field with one day of competition remaining.
"We had some great swims today," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "Coming back after a relatively weak prelims session we showed a lot of composure and swam with the top finishers in our heats."
Junior Marissa Clapp, once again, led the way for the Illini. Feeling less that a hundred percent physically, she finished the 400 IM in third place with a time of 4:25.78. She also went on to compete in the 100 breast taking 12th place.
Junior Lindsey Shirley, along with senior Kellie Stevens and sophomore Amy Forsberg had a busy day competing in three 200 free races. One of the most demanding races proved no match for the Illini with Shirley taking ninth place, recording a season low time of 1:53.65. Stevens finished the event in 15th place, while Forsberg also recorded a season low time of 1:54.11 to take 17th place.
Sophomore Cece Marizu and senior Meghan Bradley each set new personal records in the 100 back. Marizu's time of 58.80 was a season best, while Bradley set a new career best with a time of 59.48.
After two grueling days of competition, the Orange and Blue will have to be focused as they finish their last meet of the fall season tomorrow.
"We will have to come back tomorrow and continue to cut time in our races," Novitsky said. "This weekend is physically and mentally demanding of our athletes, but they know we need them to step up, be ready to compete and finish on a high note."
The Illini will begin action Sunday at 8 a.m. A final recap of the Ohio State Invitational will be available on fightingillini.com after the completion of the meet.
