MADISON, Wisc.: The Fighting Illini swimming and diving team started individual competition Thursday, breaking a school record and having multiple Top-10 program finishes.

"Congratulations to Taylor Shegos for coming back, competing tough and scoring for the team. In addition it was great to see Molly Yetter's hard work pay off with a school record,"said head coach Sue Novitsky, "The team had a strong day with multiple lifetime and season bests. We are looking to keep on improving and compete\ing hard tomorrow."

Freshman Molly Yetter shined on day two with her School Record performance in the 50 freestyle. Yetter, who clocked a time of 22.89, broke a 7-year old record, held by Barbie Viney (22.92, 2/16/05).

Illini Swimmers and Divers competed in the 500 Freestyle, 200 Individual Medley, 50 Freestyle, 1-meter-diving, and the 400 Medley Relay. The Fighting Illini did not send any swimmers or divers to the evening finals, but still saw program success throughout the day.

The Orange and Blue produced 14 lifetime bests and 3 college bests in the preliminaries, and landing four swimmers on the All-Time Fastest Individuals in program history. Yetter took over #1 with her school record, Junio Isabelle Guerra rose to #3 (tied), Abby Cabush in 4^th, and Laurel Bludgen in the 7-spot.

The Fighting Illini had one relay team competing in the 400 Medley Relay composed of junior Athena Salafatinos, junior Divya Kale, senior Abby Cabush, and Yetter. The team put up a time of 3:43.60 in the race, placing third in their heat and 11th overall.

Lifetime Best Times on Day 2:

•  Sophomore Meghan Niziolek (500 Freestyle // 5:02.12)
• Junior Jeanri Buys (500 Freestyle // 4:56.65)
• Senior Sidney Kennedy (500 Freestyle // 4:56.22)
• Senior Lauren Partridge (200 IM // 2:08.49)
• Freshman Jane Umhofer (200 IM // 2:03.85)
• Junior Isabelle Guerra (50 Freestyle // 22.98)
• Freshman Logan Kuehne (50 Freestyle // 23.46) *tied
• Junior Divya Kale (50 Freestyle // 24.44)
• Senior Abigail Cabush (50 Freestyle // 23.07)
• Sophomore Laurel Bludgen (50 Freestyle // 23.16)
• Sophomore Lily Olson (50 Freestyle // 23.24)
• Freshman Molly Yetter (50 Freestyle //22.89)
• Junior Lizzie Gile (200 Freestyle // 1:54.23) *Time Trials
• Sophomore Cara Bognar (100 Breaststroke // 1:04.68) *Time Trials

College Best Times on Day 2:

• Freshman Lia Munson (500 Freestyle // 5:12.23)
• Freshman Sydney Stoll (500 Freestyle // 4:55.27)
• Senior Lauren Partridge (200 IM // 2:08.49)

Illinois Top Performers by Event

The Fighting Illini return to the Soderholm Family Aquatic Center on Friday at 10 a.m. CT.

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