Results | Highlights | Coach Novitsky Interview | Marchuk Interview

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois swimming & diving team welcomed Michigan State to the ARC on Saturday afternoon for the final dual meet of the regular season. On a day during when the senior members of the team were recognized for their contributions to the program, the rest of the Illini gave the eight eldest members of the team something to celebrate, dominating the Spartans to the tune of a 190-110 win.

"We have gotten a little bit better each week and that's what I love to see in the month of January," said head coach Sue Novitsky. "We swam really smart races today and that's a great spot to be in right now."

In the meet's opening event, the 400 medley relay team of Alison Meng, Samantha Stratford, Lori Lynn and Kirsten Zborek set the tone for the day. The quartet completed the race in 3:48.39 to earn the win and set a new pool record. In total, Illinois won 12 of the 16 events.

Amelia Schilling followed up the relay win with a title in the 1000 free, finishing in 10:21.17. She came back later in the meet and grabbed the win in the 500 free, touching the wall at 5:03.46. Nelly Casas was right behind Schilling in the 500 free, clocking a 5:03.50 performance.

In the 200 free, Gabbie Stecker (1:52.76), Hailey Booth (1:53.48) and Megan Marchuk (1:53.58) finished first, second and third, respectively. Meng won the 100 back in 55.48, while Isabella Schamber (1:05.52) and Stratford (1:05.61) were the top-two finishers in the 100 breaststroke.

Gabrielle Bethke joined Schilling as a double winner in the individual events, taking both the 50 and 100 free. She finished the 50 free in 24.20 and the 100 free in 51.98.

Sloane McDermott led the way in another first through third showing for the Illini, winning the 200 back in 2:05.38. Stecker (2:05.76) and Callan McDermott (2:06.28) finished second and third, respectively.

Meng won her second individual event of the day in the 100 fly. She finished in 56.15 and Lynn was second in 56.26. Stratford won the 400 IM in 4:27.73, and the 200 free relay of Zborek, Meng, Sarah Skstus and Marchuk closed out the day with a win in a time of 1:35.43.

"It was great to go out with a bang," Marchuk exclaimed. "I have been through a lot with these girls and being able to end our last meet here like that was really nice. I know the team really wanted to give us that win. It was a full team effort."

The Illini will now begin to taper in preparation for the Big Ten Championships. The conference meet will take place Feb. 18-21 in Columbus, Ohio.