CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois swim and dive team dropped its Big Ten opener, 166.5-133.5, to the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday, Jan. 12, at the ARC Pool. Freshman Matilda Garcia earned a NCAA B cut on the three-meter boards, and she placed second overall after leading the Illini with a score of 287.10. She now has a B cut on both the one-meter and three-meter boards.
BETWEEN THE LANES
The day began with the 400 medley relay team of junior Suvana Baskar, sophomore Sara Jass, junior Sydney Stoll and senior Laurel Bludgen capturing a second-place finish (3:49.74).
Stoll later went on to claim two event titles to lead the Illini. She first won the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:50.80 and touched first in the 200 backstroke (2:02.41) after the diving break period.
Sophomore Adelaide Reaser captured the 1000m crown (10:21.16), the longest distance race of the day. Two seniors won the sprint freestyle races: Bludgen topped the 50 freestyle podium (23.76), and Lily Olson earned gold in the 100 freestyle (51.73). Olson also placed second in the 50 freestyle (23.96).
Freshman Abby Ninan earned two silver medals today in the 200 butterfly (2:05.25) and the 100 butterfly (56.53). Jass claimed two silvers as well in the 200 breaststroke (2:17.66) and the 400IM (4:24.31).
The 400 freestyle relay crew of Stoll, Olson, Bludgen and junior Logan Kuehne closed out the day with a silver medal (3:26.96).
ON THE BOARDS
Freshman Bethany Mercer led the Orange and Blue divers on the one-meter boards. She captured bronze with a score of 260.63. Senior Taylor Michael was the next Illini to place with a score of 254.85, good enough for fifth place. Freshman Dani O'Kelly placed fourth on the three-meter boards (279.60), and Mercer placed fifth (261.53).
EVENT-WINNERS
1000 freestyle: Adelaide Reaser – 10:21.16
200 freestyle: Sydney Stoll – 1:50.80
50 freestyle: Laurel Bludgen – 23.76
100 freestyle: Lily Olson – 51.73
200 backstroke: Sydney Stoll – 2:02.41
UP NEXT
The Fighting Illini swim and dive team is back in action tomorrow for a tri-meet in West Lafayette, Ind., against Purdue and Missouri at 10 a.m. CT.
