Carbondale, Ill. – The University of Illinois swimming and diving team defeated both Southern Illinois and Illinois State on Friday night. The victory puts the Illini record up 4-1 on the season. Sophomore Cara Bognar picked up two individual first place finishes and a personal best in the 200 IM, with Sydney Stoll and Laurel Bludgen getting a first place finish apiece.

 "We knew going in to the meet that this was going to be a barn burner," said Head Coach Sue Novitsky, "The whole team stepped up and competed with energy and enthusiasm. This was a terrific test for the whole team and to come out with two wins is very satisfying. We have another big test tomorrow and are looking forward to keep trying to take it to the next level."

Bognar led the way for the Illini winning two of her three events and recording a personal best in the other. Bognar placed first in the 1000 freestyle (10:16.65) and the 200 butterfly (2:02.56), and getting her personal best time of 2:06.20 in the 200 IM, placing third in the event. Sydney Stoll placed in all three of her events, placing first in the 500 free (5:01.79), second in the 200 IM (2:04.76), and third in the 200 freestyle (1:53.64). Laurel Bludgen placed first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.91, and placed second in the 100 freestyle with a time of 52.80.

Illinois (4-1) had a great day for relays, with their four teams all placing in the top three for th two relay events. The 400 free relay team composed of Olson, Yetter, Bludgen, and Cabush took first place in the event (3:27.85), with Guerra, Kuehne, Gingras, and Salafatinos coming right behind them in third with a time of 3:33.52. In the 200 medley relay, the Fighting Illini took second (Salafatinos, Kale, Cabush, Yetter) and third (Kuehne, Haworth, Guerra, Bludgen).

ON THE BOARDS

The Illini divers had a successful day on the boards as well, having two divers place in the top three in each event. Allison Landis qualified for the NCAA Zone meet in the 1 meter diving, scoring 268.05, also marking a personal best. Taylor Michael had a good day as well recording personal bests in both diving events, placing first in the 3 meter (262.35), and second in the 1 meter (264.10). 

NEXT UP

Illinois will travel to Nashville, Tennessee to face off with Vanderbilt on Saturday at 1pm ET.

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