Jan. 31, 2009

Final Stats

Minneapolis, Minn. - The Fighting Illini swimming and diving team wrapped up the Big Ten Duals Saturday afternoon at the University of Minnesota. The Illini were 0-3 on the weekend after going head-to-head with Purdue, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The Illini fell to Purdue 198-155, Minnesota 232-110 and Wisconsin 230-115. Minnesota finished the weekend 3-0 while Wisconsin finished 2-1 and Purdue 1-2.

"We were not quite as sharp today as we were yesterday," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "We were sluggish out of the gate. We had some momentum from last night and we were not able to capitalize on it today."

To start off the day's competition the Illini took fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:46.51). In the 1000 free Kelly Smithwick finished 11th with a time of 10:28.89.

In the 50 free Kristen Manias swam to 13th place with a time of 24.45. Laura Adrian and and CeCe Marizu finished fifth (57.84) and sixth (58.13), respectively, in the 100 back.

Marissa Clapp finished third in the 200 breast with a season-best time of 2:17.59. Clapp also finished second in the 400 IM with a time of 4:23.75.

"There were some bright spots among this weekend's competition," Novitsky said. "Marissa Clapp finished 3rd in the 200 breast with a season-best time of 2:17.59 and she finished second in the 400 IM. Also Katie Theissen, Amy and Anna Johnson and Laura Adrian all had breakthrough performances this weekend. It is great to see them coming around."

Ali Keehn swam to eighth place in the 100 fly (58.00). In the 200 free Kristen Kloeckener took 11th place (1:54.96) while Kelly Kunkel took 12th place (1:55.76).

To finish out Saturday's competition the Illini took sixth in the 400 free relay with a time of 3:31.23. The relay was swam by Adrian, Manias, Anna Johnson and Meghan Mason.

The Illini will have several weeks off from competition before heading to the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan from Feb. 19 - Feb. 21.