CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois Swimming and Diving team will head to Lincoln, Nebraska, to face off with the Cornhuskers on Saturday, January 23rd. The Orange and Blue (8-2) will look to improve on their impressive 5-1 road record on the season. Competition will begin at 11 a.m. CT at the Devaney Natatorium.
“The team has responded well after our meet at Iowa,” said head coach Sue Novitsky. “The team is handling a very tough and intense week of practice. At the Iowa meet, we were not the sharpest with our race details and that cost us some time. We have been emphasizing our work on those little things and just race preparation in general.”
Nebraska enters the weekend with a 4-2 record, including a victory over the University of Nebraska-Omaha a week ago. Since joining the Big Ten in 2010, the Cornhuskers have come away with two victories in five attempts against the Illini.
“We have had some very competitive meets against Nebraska in the past and I expect that to be the case this weekend,” said Novitsky. “Nebraska has a very deep team and some really outstanding individuals that will force us to bring our top game. This meet will be decided in the 3-4-5 place ranges and it is important for all of our athletes to challenge themselves in the pool and on the boards. This meet will take a full team effort.”
Last Time Out
The Fighting Illini head into Nebraska following a busy weekend of competition that featured mixed results. UI came away victorious against Iowa State on Friday (164.5-135.5), followed by a loss to Iowa on Saturday (125.5-174.5). The Orange and Blue won nine events in Ames and followed up with five the next day in Iowa City.
Next Up
Following competition in Nebraska, the Illini will head to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to close out the regular season. Competition will begin on January 30, at 11 a.m. CT.
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Swimming news courtesy of Illinois Swimming & Diving.