TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Illinois swim and dive defeated Indiana State 215-138 and Vanderbilt 262-85 in its latest meet, improving to 6-0 on the 2025-26 season.
The Illini carried Friday's momentum into the second session, capturing wins in seven of ten events on Saturday morning. The 200 medley relay team of Sophia Paduano, Kayla Duran, Chloe Diner and Isabella Wilhelm put the first points on the board, earning a first-place finish with a time of 1:43.40. Diner also cruised to a victory in the 100 butterfly (55.47), while Wilhelm picked up her own individual gold in the 50 freestyle (23.72).
In the 100 backstroke, Paduano and Michelle Kaner placed second and third, respectively, notching times of 56.90 and 57.52.
Veteran Sara Jass highlighted the individual events, emerging victorious in both the 200 breaststroke (2:18.46) and the 400 IM (4:20.28). Diner (4:24.09) and Adelaide Reaser (4:26.51) rounded out the top three in the 400 IM.
In the final event between the lanes, Eva Allan, Sophia Yousuf, Maggie Adler and Wilhelm brought home gold for the Illini in the 400 freestyle relay, logging a time of 3:26.80.
Illinois swept the podium in the one-meter boards, with Bethany Mercer capturing the event crown (287.10), Elle Crisostomo coming in second (285.75) and Elleka Boeres slotting in at third (270.67).
Event Winners:
200 medley relay: Sophia Paduano, Kayla Duran, Chloe Diner, Isabella Wilhelm (1:43.40)
50 freestyle: Isabella Wilhelm (23.72)
200 breaststroke: Sara Jass (2:18.46)
100 butterfly: Chloe Diner (55.47)
400 IM: Sara Jass (4:20.28)
400 freestyle relay: Eva Allan, Sophia Yousuf, Maggie Adler, Isabella Wilhelm (3:26.80)
1-meter dive: Bethany Mercer (287.10)
Personal Bests:
One-meter dive: Bethany Mercer (287.10)
One-meter dive: Elle Crisostomo (285.75)
Up Next:
Illinois continues its season at the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa, Nov. 18-21.
