LINCOLN, Neb. – The Illinois swimming and diving program was defeated by Nebraska, 132-168, on Saturday, Jan. 21. Freshman Liv Dorshorst continues to rewrite the Illinois record books. She set a new 1000 freestyle school record of 9:56.73. Junior Cara Bognar is now tied for fifth in Illinois history with a 10:06.15 in the same event.

BETWEEN THE LANES

Illinois started fast out of the gate when they claimed the top two spots in the 200-medley relay. The team of sophomore Suvana Baskar, senior Mariclaire Lynch, sophomore Logan Kuehne and junior Laurel Bludgen took first (1:41.67) followed by senior Athena Salafatinos, senior Kaleigh Haworth, senior Isabelle Guerra and junior Lily Olson (1:42.20).

Sophomore Sydney Stoll placed second in the 200 freestyle (1:49.81). Three Illini swimmers set new personal-best in the 200 freestyle: Freshman Sara Jass (1:51.42), sophomore Paloma Canos-Cervera (1:52.94) and junior Meghan Niziolek (1:53.71). Jass now also holds the programs fifth best 400 IM (4:18.43) and won the event.

In the 100 backstroke Salafatinos (55.13) and Baskar (55.42) finished first and second, respectively. Baskar's time was also the eighth best in school history. Haworth won and registered a new program fourth best mark in the 200 breaststroke (2:13.98). She notched a bronze medal finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.80).

The Orange and Blue swept the podium in the 50 freestyle: first Guerra (23.07), second Bludgen (23.40), third Kuehne (23.47). Guerra also registered new PB in the 100 butterfly (55.61) and placed second.

Bludgen won the 100 freestyle (51.23) on new personal-best time. Stoll touched third in the 200 backstroke (2:01.61). To close out the meet, the 400 freestyle relay team claimed second consisting of: Bludgen, Salafatinos, Olson and Stoll (3:24.03).

ON THE BOARDS

Junior Brooke Michael placed third in the three-meter dive with a score of 279.00. Followed by her twin Taylor Michael with a 246.98.  They traded positions in the one-meter dive, Taylor finished third with a 235.58 and Brooke finished fourth with a 230.63. Sophomore Hannah Hong finished fifth in the three-meter (242.33) and the one-meter (217.13). Freshman Abby Manos finished sixth in both the three-meter (241.05) and one-meter (213.60)

UP NEXT
Illinois swim and dive is back in action for the Louisville Invite on Feb. 9-10 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT.