University of Illinois
Big Ten Championships (Swim)
Day Two Has Six Illini Record Lifetime Bests
February 24, 2021 | Swimming & Diving
Recap
Day Two Prelims Results | Day Two Finals Results
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Illinois had six swimmers achieve career bests on Wednesday. Day two's events included the 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle, 500 freestyle and 400 medley relay. The Illini wrapped up the second day of competition with 96 points.
"With multiple lifetime bests and Cara breaking into the top ten in the 500 freestyle, we keep getting stronger," said head coach Sue Novitsky. "We did a better job of staying calm and relaxed before our races and it definitely made a difference. It is a long meet and we will keep our focus on each session and maintaining our energy."
Freshman Cara Bognar clocked a lifetime best in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:52.36. That was also good for the seventh fastest time in the 500 freestyle by an individual in school history.
The rest of the lifetime bests from day two went as follows:
Junior Abigail Cabush – 50 freestyle (:23.49)
Freshman Laurel Bludgen – 50 freestyle (:23.55)
Junior Kaylee Heimes – 50 freestyle (:24.33)
Senior Natalie Edwards – 50 freestyle (:25.36)
Freshman Anna Kurzydlo -500 freestyle (5:10.69)
The lone relay of the day had sophomore Athena Salafatinos, sophomore Divya Kale, freshman Lily Olson and Bludgen swim a time of 3:46.04 in the 400 medley relay, a season best for the Illini.
The Orange and Blue will return to action tomorrow for day three of swimming and the first day of diving. Preliminaries for swimming will begin at 11 a.m. CT and diving at 11:20 a.m. CT.
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