Jan. 20, 2007

Complete Results

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Throughout the season the Illinois women's swimming and diving team has been focused on one main goal: improving from week to week in preparation for the Big Ten Championships. Saturday's 174-126 triumph marked the Orange and Blue's regular-season finale and one of its best all-around performances of the year.

Initially the competition proceeded exactly as projected. Very little separated the two teams, head coach Sue Novitsky said.

"The first third of the meet was pretty tight and going back and fourth. We were trying to force our swims instead of letting things happen."

After a break and a team huddle, the team settled down and swam consistently the rest of the way. Many of the Illini's closest competitors were in fact teammates.

Seniors Barbie Viney and Caroline Moore finished first and second, respectively in the 200 free, and Viney and fellow senior Meghan Farrell led the 50 free. That duo was not finished, either as they repeated the feat in the 100 free. Fourth-year swimmer Becca Poetz joined them with a fourth-place finish in the event.

"Yeah, they are tired and their wrists hurt a lot, but that's where we're at at this time in the season," Novitsky said. "Our divers did a spectacular job. It was a good overall team competition."

Moore, Kellie Stevens and Amy Forsberg posted perhaps the most impressive Illini run. The trio came in first, second and third in the 500 free. Additionally sophomore Marissa Clapp won twice in the 200 breast and the 200 IM, and freshman Kyla Bachtell scored the second top honors of her Illini career in one-meter diving. Bachtell also took first on Oct. 27 at Illinois State.