Oct. 24, 2003

Final Stats

Champaign, Ill. - The University of Illinois Swimming and Diving team started the 2003-04 campaign by defeating Illinois State 166.50-124.50 and Toledo 168.50-122.50. The Illini received victories from a host of swimmers on the night, but the highlight of the meet belonged to Senior Ilkay Dikmen who broke her own 100 breast IMPE record (1:04.18) with a time of 1:03.44.

"Ilkay was just impressive tonight. For this being her first meet of the year and making this kind of a time was especially exciting," Head Coach Sue Novitsky said. "Across the board we had so many people stand out tonight and really have breakthrough performances."

In the 200 medley relay, the Illini went 1-2 posting a solid mark to start the meet. The group of Meghan Farrell, Ilkay Dikmen, Christina Brunka, and Barbie Viney swam to a mark of 1:48.15, just beating out the team of Lauren Nosal, Crystal McAdam, Trisha Lakatos, and Kirsten Koepcke with a time of 150.44. Junior Kirsten Koepcke then followed with a 200 free victory, posting a time of 1:53.23.

"We came out strong and the thing that really impressed me was how strong they stayed throughout the meet," Head Coach Sue Novitsky said. "As far as fundamentally tonight, I saw a lot things we have been practicing show up in the meet tonight, which is great to see as a coach."

The Orange and Blue featured a pair of double winners with Crystal McAdam and Barbie Viney. McAdam took the 200 fly with a time of 2:06.25 and then grabbed the 200 back title (2:09.37). The freshman, Viney took home her first two collegiate wins the 50 free in 24.27 and the 100 free in 52.46.

Lisa Fish finished first in the 3-Meter dive as she posted a score of 237.90 and ended up third in the 1-Meter dive with a score of 216.95. Freshman Jackie Bain had a strong debut placing fifth in the 3-Meter and eighth in the 1-Meter dive.

Diving Coach Billy McGowan felt good about what he saw from his two divers among the 13 in competition tonight. "I'm very happy with how the first meet went tonight. Jackie Bain went from eighth to fifth in her two events tonight which shows that she will continue to improve with every competition," Billy said. "Having thirteen divers tonight makes it difficult to dive, but I thought we did great and we look to be right on schedule."

Illinois travels to Northwestern Sunday as they will participate in the Northwestern Relays at 1 p.m. The Illini then return home next Saturday as they host Southern Illinois and Iowa State at 1 p.m. at IMPE pool.