Nov. 16, 2012

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini swimming and diving team will compete at the TYR Invitational this weekend, Nov. 16-18 at the Norris Aquatics Center in Evanston, Ill. The Illini will take on five opponents, including Northwestern, Kenyon, UIC, North Dakota and Bowling Green.

"As a team, we are looking to compete for the top place," Illini head coach Sue Novitsky said. "There is going to be some great competition. Our job is to come in ready each day at prelims and get those chances to compete at night. As coaches, we are looking to get as many second swims as possible. The more chances to compete right now, the better."

The Orange and Blue enter the invitational with a 1-2 record, coming off a 157-143 loss against Illinois State. The Illini won eight events and broke three Horton Pool records, including two by sophomore Alison Meng and one by senior Kathleen Knight in the defeat at ISU.

Last season at the Northwestern Invitational, the Illini placed second out of eight teams, finishing just four hundredths of a second ahead of Iowa State in the 400 free relay to claim second place by a single point.

"Having a prelim-finals format meet is great preparation for the Big Ten Championships," Novitsky said. "We are going to have athletes who could potentially compete in 17 races over the course of three days, and that takes physical and mental toughness. Having the opportunity to not only race that much, but being able to practice the mental side as well is a bonus. Being able to practice getting themselves ready to race and then shutting it down in between sessions is going to help their development."

Northwestern Invitational // Schedule of Events
Friday, Nov. 16
Three-meter Diving
200 Free Relay
50 Breast
500 Free
200 IM
50 Free
400 Medley Relay

Saturday, Nov. 17
One-meter Diving
200 Medley Relay
400 IM
100 Fly
200 Free
100 Breast
100 Back
800 Free Relay

Sunday, Nov. 18
Platform Diving
1650 Free
50 Fly
200 Back
100 Free
200 Breast
50 Back
200 Fly
400 Free Relay