Feb. 15, 2011
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini swimming and diving team (7-3) returns to action this week for the 2011 Big Ten Championships hosted by defending champion Indiana, Feb. 16-19 in Bloomington. The Illini are set to battle six nationally ranked teams, including No. 13 Minnesota, No. 14 Indiana, No. 16 Michigan, No. 17 Wisconsin, No. 19 Ohio State and No. 20 Purdue. The Orange and Blue fell to Minnesota, Wisconsin and Purdue two weeks ago at the Big Ten Quad Duals, but captured victories over Michigan State and Iowa earlier this season.
"We will face some very fast and very deep competition," head coach Sue Novitsky said. "We need to step up and perform to our capabilities and see where that gets us. The girls love to compete, and this is a great environment to just go in, keep it simple and stay tough. Having swum in some competitive meets throughout the season should help us have confidence when the pressure is on."
The Illini began the season 7-0, which marks their best start in 13 years. Illinois' success has been a team effort, highlighted by sophomore Erin Lamb, who currently leads the team with eight first-place finishes and boasts team-leading times in the 50 free (23.64), 100 free (51.61) and 200 free (1:50.93). Junior April McKee has secured seven first-place finishes of her own, while in diving, junior Britni Fisher leads the Illini with four first-place finishes and boasts the highest scoring one-meter dive (285.30) on the season.
"It's been a year where we have been able to swim faster in-season than in other years," Novitsky said. "Now, it's just about being able to stay calm and confident, have some courage and just go race."
For additional information on the Big Ten Championships, including live results and heat sheets, click HERE. For results and recap at the conclusion of each day's events, visit fightingillini.com.
Schedule of Events
Trials will begin at 10 a.m. CT, Finals at 5:30 p.m. CT
Wednesday, Feb. 16 // Finals Only
200 Medley Relay
Synchronized Diving (Exhibition)
800 Free Relay
Thursday, Feb. 17 // Trials & Finals
200 Free Relay
500 Free
200 IM
50 Free
One-Meter Dive
Friday, Feb. 18 // Trials & Finals
400 Medley Relay
400 IM
100 Fly
200 Free
100 Breast
100 Back
Three-Meter Dive
Saturday, Feb. 19 // Trials & Finals
1650 Free
200 Back
100 Free
200 Breast
200 Fly
Platform Dive
400 Free Relay
