Champaign, Ill. – The University of Illinois Swimming and Diving team defeated Big Ten opponent Iowa in their first dual meet win of 2022. The Orange and Blue outscored Iowa 204-89 to commemorate Nautical Nonsense day at the ARC and swept the podium in 6 of the 16 events.

"It was great to see the team step up and compete today after our long training block," said head coach Sue Novitsky, "We got better as the meet went on, cleaning up details and setting up our races.  The divers had a strong day on the boards with some NCAA Zone qualifying scores and personal bests. Lastly, it was terrific to compete at home in front of such a great crowd." 

Senior Abby Cabush led the way for the Illini, placing first in all four of her events and recording a lifetime best in the mix. Cabush led the pack in her signature event, the 200 Freestyle (1:50.28) and the 100 butterfly with a lifetime-best time of 56.44. Cabush also contributed to first place finishes in both relay events.

Freshman Sydney Stoll and sophomore Cara Bognar made big contributions to the Fighting Illini as well, grabbing two first place finishes apiece. Stoll finished first in the 200 backstroke and the 200 IM with times of 2:06.28 and 2:08.05, respectively. Stoll also placed in her other two events, placing 2nd in the 200 freestyle (1:54.98) and contributed to a 3rd place finish in the 200 Medley Relay.  Bognar led the way in the 500 freestyle (5:03.62) and the 200 butterfly (2:03.14) and also placed in the 200 IM, finishing second just behind Stoll with a time of 2:08.82.

In addition to Cabush and Stoll, Jane Umhofer, Laurel Bludgen, and Lily Olson also reached the podium in all of their events. Umhofer won the 200 breaststroke (2:24.52), placed second in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.25), and third in the 200 IM (2:12.38). Bludgen won the 50 free (23.81) and placed second in the 100 freestyle. Olson placed third in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle with times of 24.24 and 53.15, respectively. All three athletes also reached the podium in their respective relay events.

Illinois (5-2) also grabbed first place in both the 200 medley relay (1:45.77) and 400 freestyle relay (3:31.27). The 200 medley relay team started the day off for the Orange and Blue and consisted of freshman Molly Yetter, junior Divya Kale, Cabush, and Freshman Logan Kuehne. The 400 freestyle relay team of Bludgen, Olson, Yetter, and Cabush capped off a victorious meet.

ON THE BOARDS

Four Illini competed in the one-meter and three-meter events on Saturday and all four student-athletes posted a personal best in one of the diving events. In the one-meter dive Maddy Crosby posted a score of 279.75, good for second place and a personal best. Taylor Michael recorded two personal bests on the day with a second place finish in the 3 meter (277.05) and a third place finish in the 1-meter (270.83). Brooke Michael put up a personal best in the 3-meter, scoring a 273.23, good for third place. Junior Erin Young placed seventh with a personal-best exhibition score of 249.23.

NEXT UP

Illinois face off with Nebraska next Saturday, January 22nd at the ARC Pool in Champaign for Senior Day.

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