Final Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's swimming and diving team played host to both Rutgers and Northwestern on Friday at the ARC Pool. UI finished with season-best times in four events, including the 400 medley relay, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley. The Illini came up short; however, falling to Rutgers (158-140) and Northwestern (188-110).
"The ladies really stepped up on a more consistent level from beginning to end compared to last week," coach Elliott McGill said. "We saw a number of swims that were faster than they were against Michigan State. We also saw some girls, who really worked hard all week and who were a little tired, perform very closely to both of these teams, which is okay for where we are at in the season right now."
Senior Samantha Stratford and sophomore Monica Guyett led the way for the Illini, each winning multiple events on the night. Stratford came away with the top times in both the 100 freestyle (:51.47) and 200 freestyle (1:50.11), while Guyett touched the wall the fastest in the 500 freestyle and 100 freestyle with times of 5:04.31 and 10:22.66, respectively.
In the first event of the night, the 400 medley relay team of McCord, Stratford, Vuong and Curtis got things started, finishing with the fastest time in the event on the season for the Illini (3:49.08). Also earning top times for the team on the season were Michelle McCord in the 100 backstroke (:57.24), Megan Vuong in the 100 butterfly (:56.21) and Stratford in the 200 individual medley (2:02.67)
NEXT UP
The Illini will have a quick turnaround, as the team travels to Normal, Illinois, tomorrow for a tri-meet against Illinois State and Southern Illinois. Meet competition is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. CT.
"If we are carrying the same energy and the same mentality that we had today, we will be good for tomorrow," McGill said. "The ladies will be doing a couple different events than they normally do, so hopefully they are a little bit more fresh and they can pop off some good swims tomorrow."
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