Final Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois swimming and diving team earned wins over Illinois State (210-90) and Southern Illinois (176-123) Thursday at the ARC Pool in a double dual meet with the help of career-bests from both sophomore Sarah Cano and freshman Kaleigh Haworth, as well as a strong performance from senior Jamie Kolar. The Illini improve to 4-1 in dual meets on the year.
"The team had great energy today in the pool, on the boards and on the deck. Everyone was essential in the team's success today and we need that same effort on Saturday," said head coach Sue Novitsky. "I was pleased with how we competed strong all the way through the meet. We have a quick turnaround for another big challenge at Michigan State. This week will be a great test of the team's resiliency and toughness."
The Orange and Blue got off to a strong start on the day, as the relay team of Cano, freshman Divya Kale, freshman Isabelle Guerra and senior Kristin Anderson came away with the top time in the first event, the 400 medley relay (3:54.12). In the 1000 freestyle, senior Emily Martin finished with a time of 10:41.65 and sophomore Sidney Kennedy completed the event with a time of 10:44.74 to take second and third place, respectively. Martin also took the silver in the 500 freestyle (5:08.06).
Sophomore Abigail Cabush touched the wall first in the 200 freestyle, finishing with a time of 1:52.41, as Kolar came away with the fastest times in both the 100 backstroke (:57.97) and the 200 backstroke (2:03.99).
In addition to contributing to the fastest 400 medley relay team, Cano also took the top spot in the 200 individual medley (2:09.94) and finished in third place with a career-best time of :54.10 in the 100 freestyle. The Cedar Park, Texas, native also swam a leg on the fastest 400 freestyle relay (3:33.37), with members Guerra, Anderson and junior Emma Curtis. Anderson also won the 50 freestyle with a time of :24.26.
Haworth earned her career-best in the 200 breaststroke, as the Highlands Ranch, Colo., native finished the event with a time of 2:23.21, to claim first place.
On the Boards
Sophomore Taylor Shegos sat atop the leaderboard with a score of 284.30 in the 3-meter diving competition. Shegos also took fifth place in 1-meter diving with a score of 225.25. Fellow sophomore Madelyn Crosby finished in fourth place in 1-meter and in fifth place in 3-meter, posting scores of 243.85 and 245.85, respectively.
Freshman Erin Young finished in seventh on both 1-meter (211.45) and 3-meter (212.35).
Up Next
The Illini will head to East Lansing, Mich., to take on Michigan State in a Big Ten dual meet on Saturday, Oct. 19. Action is set to begin at 11 a.m. CT.
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