Illinois Swim Hosts Nebraska and Iowa, Divers to Compete in Iowa City

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois swim and dive is set for a full weekend of conference action, with swim hosting Nebraska and Iowa at the ARC Pool, Jan. 16-17. Swim competition is slated to begin at 5 p.m. CT on Friday for Country Night, and 10 a.m. CT on Saturday. The divers for all three teams will compete in Iowa City, Iowa. 

The Fighting Illini last competed at Purdue on Jan. 10, with senior Sara Jass taking home event wins in both the 200 IM (2:00.70) and 200 breaststroke (2:13.05). On the boards, Matilda Garcia excelled, posting the second-best three-meter dive score in program history (325.95).

Illinois competed against both teams in 2025, winning six events against Iowa, including the 200 freestyle for Jass, and four events against Nebraska, including the 500 freestyle for Liv Dorshorst. Against the Huskers, alumna Sydney Stoll swam a school record 53.97 in the 100 butterfly, which still stands today. 

Scouting the Opponents

Iowa most recently competed in a quad meet at UCLA, defeating Utah (122.50-117.50), but falling to UC Santa Barbara (112-109) and UCLA (164-73). Payton Flowers took the lead for the Hawkeyes, earning silver in the 50 butterfly (24.70) and winning the 50 freestyle skins race (23.35). 

Nebraska last competed at the Hawkeye Invitational midseason meet, taking home the team title with a total of 1,281.5 points. Beatrix Tanko set a Nebraska school record in the 100 freestyle (48.75) and won the 100 butterfly with a time of 52.03. Gena Jorgenson also brought home a pair of event wins for the Huskers in the 500 (4:40.29) and 1650 (16:00.61) freestyle races.