Oct. 18, 2002

Results

Champaign, Ill. - The University of Illinois Swimming and Diving team kicked off the 2002-03 season with the annual Orange and Blue meet this evening at IMPE pool. The Orange team reclaimed the trophy it lost last season with a 129-108 victory. Leading the way for the Orange was junior Crystal McAdam, who won three events on the evening.

"Overall I thought this was a very competitive meet all the way through," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "There were several close races tonight and that serves well as we use this as a rehearsal for the real races that start up next weekend.

McAdam took home the 1000 free (10:27.72), 200 IM (2:07.77) and 200 fly (2:07.73). Also helping the Orange cause was junior Ilkay Dikmen, who won the 50 (30.13) and 200 2:19.36) breaststroke events.

Freshman Christina Brunka was the sole record-breaker of the night. Brunka won the 50 fly in a meet record time of 26.48. She also won the 50 free in a time of 24.75. The other double winner of the night was sophomore Kirsten Koepcke, who won both the 200 free (1:54.21) and 500 free (5:05.68) in a pair of tight races with freshman Britta Jansson.

"We had a couple of freshmen really step up tonight which was exciting to see," Novitsky added. "It was a solid night all the way through."

Illinois opens up the reglar season next weekend with a pair of home meets. The Illini host Illinois State Friday night at 6 p.m. at IMPE pool before taking on Michigan State, Missouri and Southern Illinois beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday morning.