Jan. 29, 2011
Complete Results
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -The Fighting Illini swimming and diving team fell to three nationally ranked teams, including No. 20 Purdue (270-83), No. 13 Minnesota (293-60) and No. 16 Wisconsin (270-82), Saturday afternoon at the Big Ten Quad Duals. With the losses, Illinois drops to 7-3 on the season.
"I thought we were a little bit livelier and a little more awake today," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "We had some better races. We did a better job of warming up and preparing ourselves today. We're learning to handle pressure and deal with swimming in such a fast environment without being overwhelmed."
Highlighting the day for the Orange and Blue was sophomore Erin Rodriguez, who finished fifth in the 400 IM with a season-best time of 4:27.68, while redshirt freshman Erica Lynn captured a fifth-place finish of her own in the 200 breast (2:19.78). Freshman Jessica Holz also put together a solid swim, posting a personal-best time of 2:04.17 in the 200 back.
"It was good to see high-caliber competition," Novitsky said. "We have to be able to bring our best because no one is going to give away anything for free. We have to earn the swims we get."
The Illini return to action next Friday, Feb. 4., when they travel to Minneapolis for the two-day Minnesota Challenge.
