Nov. 10, 2007

Normal, Ill. - The Illinois' swimming and diving team defeated Illinois State, 172-128, at Horton Pool Saturday afternoon. Junior Marissa Clapp set a pool record in the 200 breast with a time of 2:19.0, while also winning the 200 butterfly.

"We did not have our strongest line-up today, but we stepped up and got the job done," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "The lack of attention to detail cost us a few races and we need to get those seconds back before the championship meets at the end of the season."

Nine Orange and Blue participants claimed victories against the Redbirds. Seniors Kellie Stevens and Meghan Bradley won the 50 free and 200 back, respectively, while junior Lindsey Shirley won the 100 free. Sophomore Kristen Kloeckener took home her first victory of the season in the 200 free, while fellow sophomores Amy Forsberg and Anna Johnson won individual event titles.

After showing signs of improvement last week at the Missouri Dual Meet Challenge. The Illini relays remained another strong point for the Illini with squads finishing first and second in the 200 medley relay, while taking first and third in the 200 free relay.

"Today should boost the confidence of some of our athletes," Novitsky said. "We competed as strong as possible and out relays came through. We have been more comfortable with our squads recently and our finishes have shown we can finish strong."

Diver Kyla Bachtell continued her impressive sophomore season with a score of 241.64 in the one-meter board to take first place. She had another strong showing in the three-meter board with a score of 220.05, finishing in second place.

The Illini jump back into the pool at the Ohio State invitational, Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.