Top Marks List
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After posting a 6-4 record during the 2014-15 season, the Fighting Illini swimming and diving team finished 2015-16 with a dual meet record of 8-4, giving the program three consecutive winning seasons since the span of 2008-11. While the Illini had just three home meets including their exhibition, nine ARC Pool records fell during the 2015-16 campaign.
The squad got off to a strong start by defeating three in-state schools during the Dual Meet Spectacular, held at the ARC Pool. Illinois defeated Eastern Illinois (371-66), Western Illinois (366-69) and Olivet Nazarene (338-101) on their way to a quick 3-0 start to the season.
Next, the squad hit the road to visit Michigan State. The Illini improved to 4-0 on the season with a thrilling 182-118 victory over the Spartans. Following a weekend on the road, UI came back home to host the annual Splash Bash against Northwestern. The Illini fell to the Wildcats by a score of 127-173, marking the team's first defeat of the season.
The Splash Bash marked the final home meet of the season for the Illini, who competed on the road for the remainder of the season. The team traveled to Carbondale, Illinois, to take on Southern Illinois and Illinois State. Illinois got back on track with wins over both the Salukis (166-134) and the Redbirds (208-91).
The Illini then traveled south to Miami to take on Florida International and put their 5-1 record to the test. The Illini earned a narrow 197-174 victory, spoiling FIU's 15 regular season dual-meet win streak, as well as handing the Panthers their first home loss since the 2012-13 campaign.
Next on the schedule for the Orange and Blue was the Big Challenge, where the Illini collected 763.5 points, placing them third in the competition behind Nebraska (969) and Kansas (892).
The team then split up, as the divers competed in both the Iowa Invitational, as well as the Georgia Diving Invitational. The swimmers traveled to Coronado, California, for a winter training trip.
The Illini finished went 1-3 in their final four regular season meets, earning a victory over Iowa State, while falling to Iowa, Nebraska and No. 22 Arkansas. Following the regular season, UI set its sights on the Big Ten Championships, which were held in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
At the Big Ten Swimming & Diving Championships, the Orange and Blue surpassed six school records across four different events over the course of the four-day competition. In addition to the school records, the Illini produced season-best times in 11 events and registered 17 marks that finished the season on the school's all-time fastest individual/top dives lists at the league championships.
HOME POOL ADVANTAGE
The Illini hosted only two events on the season, coming away with a record of 3-1. In the Dual Meet Spectacular, the squad earned victories over Eastern Illinois (371-66), Western Illinois (366-69) and Olivet Nazarene (338-101). The lone home defeat for the Illini came at the Splash Bash, as UI fell to Northwestern (127-173).
RECORDS FALL IN 2015-16
Illini swimmers reset school records 12 times during the season, six of which came at the Big Ten Championships. At the Dual Meet Spectacular, Samantha Stratford set the 100 IM record with a time of 57.99. She also was part of the 800 freestyle relay team that set the ARC Pool record with a time of 7:27.17. Lori Lynn etched her name in the record book with a school record time of 24.68 in the 50 fly.
Stratford and Gabbie Stecker also made a splash into the record book at the Big Ten Championships, swimming a combined four record surpassing times. In the 400 freestyle relay, the quartet of Gabrielle Bethke, Megan Vuong, Stecker and Stratford swam a record-breaking time time of 3:21.08.
In the 200 IM, Stratford set the school record twice, swimming a 1:59.82 and later improved on her time (1:59.69). The pair of Stecker and Stratford swam four 200 fly school record surpassing times during the prelims and finals of the Big Ten Championships. Ultimately, Stratford got the final say with the school record time of 1:59.12.
In addition to the school records, the Illini notched nine new ARC Pool records. Lynn had her hands on two of the new facility records, downing the 100 fly (55.44) and the 50 fly (24.68). She was also part of the 4x100 IM relay team that posted a time of 3:59.97. Stratford set the pool records in the 100 (57.99) and twice in the 200 IM (2:04.09) in addition to the 200 fly (2:01.96). Â The 800 free relay team of Stecker, Amelia Schilling, Vuong and Stratford took down another record, swimming a time of 7:27.17. The final record was turned in by the 400 free relay unit of Vuong, Audrey Rodawig, Bethke and Kirsten Zborek with a clocking of 3:27.07.
NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP FOR STRATFORD
After swimming six performances that rank on the school's all-time top-10 list, including being part of a school-record relay team, Stratford's sophomore season was one for the books. Additionally, she collected over 20 event victories across the season. The sophomore became the first ever Illini to win Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors a year ago and didn't disappoint in her sophomore season. Additionally, she picked up Big Ten Swimmer of the Week honors the week of October 28, 2015.
Stratford owns four individual school record times on the season and was also part of three season-best relays. In addition to the school records, the sophomore was also part of five ARC pool records, including the 200 IM (2:04.09), 200 fly (2:01.96), 100 IM (57.99), 800 free relay (7:27.17), and 4x100 IM relay (3:59.97).
Stratford capped off her successful sophomore season by competing in the Canadian Swimming Trials from April 5-10. The Cambridge, Ontario, native competed in three events during the competition, placing 10th in the 200 IM finals (2:18.36) and reaching the finals in both the 100 fly (19th) and the 400 meter IM (13th). Stratford broke the 400 IM school record twice during the competition with a prelim time of 4:55.90 and a finals time of 4:54.09 and the 200 meter IM record once, going 2:17.24 in the prelims.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMERS
In addition to the impressive seasons from both Stratford and Stecker, there were a number of Illini swimmers that also made a large impact. Senior Lynn broke two ARC Pool records, including the 100 fly (55.44) at the Orange and Blue Intra-Squad Meet and 50 fly (24.68) at the Dual Meet Spectacular. She also was part of the ARC Pool record time of 3:59.97 in the 4x100 IM relay. Lynn was also part of season-best times for the Illini in eight different events, including the 50 free, 50 back, 50 fly, 100 fly, 200 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay and 4x100 IM relay.
Seniors Jennifer Coady and Sloane McDermott also made a splash for the Illini. Coady posted a school record time of 29.03 in the 50 breast at the Big Ten Championships. She also swam the fastest 100 breast time out of any Illini swimmer with a time of 1:02.73 at the Big Ten Championships. McDermott was the fastest Illini in the 100 back (55.99) and 200 back (1:59.93), both coming at the Big Challenge.
Freshman Vuong joined Stratford at the Canadian Olympic Trials. The Mississauga, Ontario, native competed in the prelims of two events, placing 52nd in the 100 fly (1:03.34) and 40th in the 200 fly (2:22.94). Additionally, Vuong was also a member of the school-record 400 free relay at the Big Ten Championships. She also collected Illinois' second-ever Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolade the week of October 28, 2015.
ON THE BOARDS
Senior Jessica Clifford and freshman Madeline Kuhn each qualified for their first NCAA Zone Diving Championships. Clifford led the Illini in the one meter competition, finishing with a score of 223.70 (31st place). Kuhn represented the Illini in all three diving disciples,, posting scores of 198.90 (one meter), 215.50 (three meter) and 154.5 (platform).
Sophomore Olivia Kassouni led all Illini divers on the season with qualifying marks in both the one meter and three meter diving events. The Michigan native posted career bests this year on both boards, tallying a score of 274.13 on the one meter board at Arkansas, as well as a mark of 299.03 on the three meter board against Michigan State. Kassouni's three meter total ranks as the fourth highest mark in the event in the Orange and Blue record books while her one meter score moves her into the eighth slot on the one meter list. Not far behind, Kuhn's tally of 271.73 ranks her one spot back in ninth in the event.
Kuhn, Illinois' lone platform diver, turned in the fourth highest mark in Illini history with a score of 188.50 at the Iowa Invitational.
CONTINUED ACADEMIC SUCCESS
In the classroom, the Illini swimmers and divers continued the program's tradition of excellence, as the squad earned the Fall 2015 Scholar All-America Team recognition from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), tying for the 74th highest GPA (3.36) amongst women's Division I swimming and diving teams.
In addition to the team recognition, 16 members of the swimming and diving team earned Big Ten Winter All-Academic honors, including Ashley Aegerter, Gabrielle Bethke, Nelly Casas, Jessica Clifford, Jennifer Coady, Adelaide Curry, Stephanie Hein, Kaitlyn Joyce, Lori Lynn, Sloane McDermott, Isabella Schamber, Amelia Schilling, Hollie Smith, Gabbie Stecker, Sarah Sykstus and Kirsten Zborek.
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