Michigan State, Southern Illinois vs. Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Illinois, November 5. FOR the first time in 13 years, the Illini are off to a 5-0 start, as they defeated Michigan State, 170-129, and Southern Illinois, 218.5-80.5, Friday night in front of a crowd of over 400 fans at the ARC Pool. The Illini captured nine first-place finishes on the day en route to victory.

"It's been a team effort this season," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "We definitely wouldn't have won this meet without multiple individuals and our depth. Everybody stepped up and wanted to contribute. That's an attitude and it's the environment that the girls have created."

Sophomore Erin Lamb led the way with three first-place finishes, including the 200 free (1:53.00), 50 free (24.30) and 100 free (52.21) and extended her streak to at least one win at each meet thus far this year.

Freshman Cara Chuang continued her first-place-finish streak as well with a win in the 100 back (57.68) and claimed third in the 200 back (207.32), while junior April McKee finished first in the 200 IM (207.89) and third in the 200 breast (2:25.05) and redshirt freshman Erica Lynn claimed first in the 200 breast (2:22.70) and third in the 100 breast (1:06.42). Senior Corey Kasten also got in on the action, placing first in the 100 breast (1:06.19).

The Illini were also aided by junior Kristen Manias, who claimed second in the 100 free (52.38) and third in the 50 free (24.44), while junior Brittany McGowan (100 fly – 57.07) and freshmen Courtney Pope (200 free – 1:53.52) and Jessica Holz (200 back – 2:06.39) added second-place finishes on the night.

Other top-three finishers for the Orange and Blue were senior Meghan Mason, who finished third in the 200 free (1:54.13), and sophomore Erin Rodriguez, who claimed third in the 200 IM (2:10.02), while senior Ann Miller posted a personal-best time of 10:31.08 in the 1000 free.

The Illini claimed first in both relays, posting a time of 1:46.02 in the 200 medley relay and a time of 3:29.46 in the 400 free relay.

Sophomore Lauren Wismer made her season debut with second-place dives off both the one-meter (275.0) and three-meter (303.65) boards, while sophomores Tessa Adams and Darragh McDermott posted personal-best scores in both events.

The Illini return to the pool next Friday, Nov. 12 to face in-state rival Illinois State in Normal.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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