IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Illinois swimming and diving program finished their mid-season tournament at the Iowa Invitational with the conclusion of day three on Dec. 3. Six Illini left the pool with top-10 times/dives in Illinois history.
Freshman Sara Jass is off to a great start to her Illini swimming career. Today she swam the second fastest 200 breaststroke in program history of 2:13.32. In the same event senior Kaleigh Haworth swam fifth fastest time in school history (2:14.74). Junior Taylor Michel recorded the programs ninth best platform dive score (205.8).
Junior Cara Bognar recorded the fourth fastest 200 butterfly with a 2:00.54. Freshman Alexis Wendel followed directly behind and now holds the fifth fastest butterfly in school history (2:01.36). Freshman Liv Dorshorst owns the seventh fastest 1650 freestyle time with a 16:51.87.
Illinois finished the meet in third with 744.5 points. Nebraska placed first (952), Rutgers second (766.5) and Iowa fourth (624.5).
BETWEEN THE LANES
Setting new personal-best was the motto of the mid-year tournament as plenty more orange a blue swimmers improved their marks again today. Sophomore Suvana Baskar swam a personal-best 200 backstroke (2:04.23). Junior Lauren Beard clocked a 52.05 100 freestyle, her new top mark.
In the 200 backstroke senior Mariclaire Lynch touched a new best with a 2:17.16. Three more personal-best times were swum in the 200 butterfly: Freshman Jillian Wilson (2:03.52), junior Sophia Burwitz (2:05.49) and sophomore Paloma Canos-Cervera (2:07.34).
Paloma also touched a new best in the 100 freestyle (52.18) alongside Burwitz (53.35). Junior Paige Koscielski did not want to be left out and swam her best 100 freestyle as well (53.72).
ON THE BOARDS
Three Illini divers recorded personal-bests on the platform today. Senior Erin Young dove a 188.4 and placed 12th overall. Freshman Abby Manos scored a 167.3 which placed her 14th. Sophomore and transfer Hannah Hong placed directly behind Manos and registered a 148.5
UP NEXT
The Illini swim and dive team is back in action on Dec. 17-20 for the Auburn Diving Invite.
