Evanston, Ill.: The Fighting Illini Swimming and Diving team fights hard, splitting meet with Northwestern and UIC. The Illini beat UIC 230-90 and fell to Northwestern 99-197. Senior Abigail Cabush and Sophomore Lily Olson both picked up first place finishes.

"It is always nice to come out with a win, but today was definitely a tough meet," Said Head Coach Sue Novitsky, "We had multiple season bests and improvements across the lineup. Today will help us continue to take steps forward and improve as a team." 

Abby Cabush earned her first place finish in her signature event, the 200 meter freestyle with a time of 1:50.79. Cabush still holds the school record in the 200 free, with a time of 1:47.80. Lily Olson got a first place finish of her own in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.80.

The Fighting Illini found themselves on the podium many more times throughout the meet, with Cara Bognar placing third in the 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle, and the 200 butterfly. Freshman Sydney Stoll stayed hot with 2nd place finishes in the 200 IM and 500 freestyle.

The 200 medley relay team composed of Athena Salafatinos, Divya Kale, Abby Cabush, and Lily Olson placed third, clocking a 1:45.88. The Fighting Illini also took second and third in the 200 freestyle relay, with Molly Yetter, Olson, Cabush, and Laurel Bludgen taking second and the team comprised of Logan Kuehne, Isabelle Guerra, Salafatinos, and Audrey Gingras placed third.

ON THE BOARDS

Sophomore Taylor Michael led the Illini divers with a third place finish in the 3 meter diving event, scoring a 243.95. Her twin sister Brooke Michael followed closely behind in fourth scoring a 237.65. 

NEXT UP

The Fighting Illini Swim and Dive team will travel to Carbondale, Ill. to face off with Illinois State and Southern Illinois, followed by a swimmers-only trip to Nashville, TN to face Vanderbilt.