Results (PDF)

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Illinois Swimming and Diving team came up just short against Nebraska with a final score of 162-138. With the defeat, the Orange and Blue fall to 8-3 on the dual season, while the Cornhuskers improve to 5-2.

"This was another very close meet," said head coach Sue Novitsky. "We had our opportunities and did not take advantage of those situations. Nebraska came out and competed very strong, which we knew they would on their senior day. It was a very challenging and loud environment and I think that took us out of our game a bit early on. I felt that we finished the meet strong and that we did refocus, dig deep and compete."

The Illini relay team of Sloane McDermott, Jennifer Coady, Lori Lynn and Audrey Rodawig started off the day with a second place finish in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:45.71. Gabbie Stecker and Amelia Schilling followed that up with first place finishes in the 1000-yard freestyle (10:17.90) and the 200-yard freestyle (1:53.49), respectively.

Sophomore Samantha Stratford earned two more first place finishes on the season by touching the wall first in the 200-yard butterfly (2:03.95) and the 200 yard IM (2:05.29). Junior Amelia Schilling picked up points for the Orange and Blue by finishing first in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:02.91. Senior Lynn also finished first in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of :56.81.

On the boards, junior Olivia Kassouni finished in third place in the three-meter diving competition with a score of 278.40. In the one-meter event, senior Jessica Clifford also earned a third place finish with a score of 261.00.

"Now we need to go back and make sure we practice strong and work on putting the pieces into place each opportunity," said Novitsky. "It is extremely important that we stay focus and tough everyday as we head into the championship portion of our schedule."

First Place Finishes

1000 free- Gabbie Stecker – 10:17.90

200 free- Amelia Schilling – 1:53.49

200 fly- Samantha Stratford – 2:03.95

500 free- Amelia Schilling – 5:02.91

100 fly- Lori Lynn - :56.81

200 IM- Samantha Stratford – 2:05.29

Next Up

The Fighting Illini will be back in the pool on January 30, when they travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to take on the Razorbacks of Arkansas. Competition will begin at 11 a.m. CT.

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