July 20, 2010

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Fourteen current and three incoming Illini competed in the 2010 Speedo Illinois Senior Championships in Evanston, Ill., July 15-18. Illinois swimmers advanced to the finals in 12 events, boasting nine of 24 finalists in the 100 fly.

Junior Brittany McGowan led the way with a first-place performance in the 100 fly (1:03.03), while senior Meghan Mason finished third in the 100 free (59.04) and advanced to the finals in the 50 free (27.79) and 200 free (2:10.20).

Senior Corey Kasten placed fourth in the 100 breast (1:15.80) and advanced in the 50 free (28.32) and 200 breast (2:52.85), while sophomore Erin Lamb finished fifth in the 100 free (59.34) and seventh in the 200 free (2:09.36), also advancing in the 100 fly (1:07.09).

Three Illini posted sixth-place finishes, including a performance by sophomore Alyssa Petruzzello in the 100 fly (1:05.26) and a tie by juniors Torrey Loper and Kelly Kunkel in the 400 free (4:35.63). Kunkel also advanced in the 200 free (2:10.91).

Junior Rachel Japp placed seventh in the 100 breast (1:17.98) and advanced in the 200 breast (2:51.41), while newcomer Emily Wilkinson finished seventh in the 400 IM (5:18.84) and advanced in the 100 fly (1:07.82), 200 fly (2:31.01) and 200 back (2:33.12).

A pair of Illini swam to eighth-place finishes, including incoming freshman Emma Williams in the 200 fly (2:31.27) and junior Caitlin Conroy in the 100 fly (1:06.77). Williams also advanced in the 100 fly (1:09.24) and 400 IM (5:30.54), while Conroy advanced in the 50 free (28.16) and 100 free (1:02.08).

Sophomore Erin Rodriguez qualified for the finals in four events, including the 100 fly (1:08.92), 200 fly (2:31.49), 200 IM (2:37.50) and 400 IM (5:25.74), while junior Kristen Manias, sophomore Kathleen Knight and incoming freshman Alyssa Toland each advanced in three events. Manias advanced in the 50 free (27.85), 100 back (1:10.15) and 100 fly (1:06.30); Knight advanced in the 400 free (4:37.21), 100 fly (1:07.33) and 200 fly (2:32.36), and Toland advanced in the 200 back (2:30.67), 200 IM (2:33.66) and 400 IM (5:22.51).

Senior Lauren Frendreis and sophomore Kimberly Kalenda competed in the 50 free and 100 free. Frendreis posted times of 28.92 in the 50 free and 1:04.51 in the 100 free, while Kalenda posted times of 28.43 in the 50 free and 1:02.74 in the 100 free.

While her teammates swam in Evanston, junior Michelle Mehnert participated in the 2010 Evergreen Triathlon in Hudson, Ill., on July 17, finishing first in the collegiate women's division with a time of 2:25:49.2. The race included a 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run. Mehnert swam the fastest time posted by any female athlete with a time of 21:01.2. The Champaign, Ill., native used the race as preparation for the International Triathlon Union Age Group World Championships, which will take place in Budapest, Hungary on Sept. 12.