Illini Clock Top Marks on Day One of B1G Championships
February 17, 2016 | Swimming & Diving
@IlliniSwimming posts two relay times that rank second all-time
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – In the opening session of the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships, the Fighting Illini swimming and diving team shook up the record book. The Illini clocked the second-best time in school history in both the 200 medley relay and the 800 freestyle relay tonight from the Canham Natatorium. The times in both events were season bests for the Orange and Blue.
"After a day of not knowing if we were going to start the meet today or have to postpone, the team came out with really good energy," shared Illinois head coach Sue Novitsky. "We had some really strong relay efforts tonight and are showing some good speed. It was good to see the team respond and handle the adversity, stay calm and compete well under pressure."
Big Ten Championship action began Wednesday evening with the 200 medley relay. The relay team of Sloane McDermott, Jennifer Coady, Lori Lynn and Audrey Rodawig posted a time of 1:41.39, placing them second on the school's all-time fastest times list. The relay team finished 11th overall.
McDermott's lead-off split was a lifetime best for the Illini senior and ranks sixth all-time in the 50 backstroke on the Illinois fastest individuals list.
In the second and final event of the night, the 800 freestyle relay team of Gabbie Stecker, Amelia Schilling, Megan Vuong and Samantha Stratford started strong for the Illini. Despite trailing Northwestern after the opening two legs of the race, Illinois kept battling, taking a small lead on the Wildcats heading into the final swimmers. The Illini ultimately won the heat by over a body length with a time of 7:14.31. UI's reading held up for an eighth place finish in the event to secure the Illini relay team a spot on the podium.
The Illini currently sit in 10th place after the first session of competition with 76 points. Action will resume tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. CT with the preliminary rounds of the 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free, as well as the one-meter diving competition.
"We have a long way to go in the meet, but we have put ourselves in a good mindset to keep fighting," stated Novitsky.
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