University of Illinois
Arkansas
November 7, 2026 | Swimming & Diving
RECAP
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Illinois swim and dive team was defeated 203-96 by Arkansas and 182.5-112.5 by Texas A&M on Saturday (Nov. 7) from Arkansas Natatorium. The 200 medley relay team of Sophia Paduano, Kayla Duran, Chloe Diner and Isabella Wilhelm started the meet out with a third-place finish for the Illini, the program's eighth-fastest time (1:39.78).
BETWEEN THE LANES
Wilhelm would follow up on the strong performance, finishing second in the 50 freestyle (22.93). Paduano would later place third in the 100 backstroke (55.64) as well as Diner in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.54). Diner would continue with the rule of thirds finishing in bronze position for the 100 butterfly (54.10) and 200 IM (2:00.92).
Junior Katie Gresik finished second in the 1000 freestyle (10:09.31) and third in the 500 freestyle (4:59.29). Freshman Kate Farrell finished with silver in the 500 freestyle (4:58.06).
Senior Maggie Adler placed third in the 100 freestyle (50.58), a season best for Adler and the second fastest time of her collegiate career.
Closing the meet out, the 400 freestyle relay team of Adler, Wilhelm, Bella Wojtowicz and Hailey Vlcek took home the bronze medal with a time of 3:23.04.
ON THE BOARDS
Sophomore Amelia Semple led the Illini divers on the three-meter boards in sixth place with 271.75 points and Senior Matilda Garcia placed 10th (239.70). On the one-meter boards, it was an Uno reverse card with Garcia finishing in seventh place on a score of 252.05 and Semple placed 10th with a score of 242.45.
UP NEXT
The Orange and Blue aquatics crew returns to action on Tuesday (Nov. 17) for the beginning of the Hawkeye Invite in Iowa City, Iowa.
TOP-10 PROGRAM MARKS
Eighth – 200 medley relay: Sophia Paduano, Kayla Duran, Chloe Diner, Isabella Wilhelm (1:39.78)
PERSONAL BESTS
50 freestyle: Bella Wojtowicz (23.85)
100 freestyle: Bella Wojtowicz (51.02)
100 freestyle: Isabella Wilhelm (51.10)
100 freestyle: Eva Paraschiv (52.33)
200 freestyle: Eva Paraschiv (1:52.34)
200 butterfly: Virag Zambo (2:02.41)
200 IM: Virag Zambo (2:07.19)
