Courtesy: Illinois Athletics
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini swimming and diving team kicks off its season this week with dual meets on both Thursday, October 11, and Friday, October 12. The team will travel to Terre Haute, Indiana, to take on Indiana State on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT, before returning home to host Michigan State on Friday at 4 p.m. CT.
Indiana State
Thursday’s meet will mark the third-straight year the two programs have faced off, with the Illini having won both previous dual meets. In 2016, the first year of Indiana State’s swimming program, Illinois downed the Sycamores, 184-77, in Terre Haute. A year ago, the Orange and Blue earned top times in 12 of 14 swimming events to earn a 180-111 victory at the ARC Pool.
Ling Kuhn was the lone diver to compete for the Illini at the event and the Bloomington, Illinois, native posted the top scores in both 1-meter (274.20) and 3-meter (305.70). Both scores qualified for the NCAA Zone cut.
Michigan State
UI holds an all-time record of 17-10 against the Spartans, dating back to the programs first meeting during the 1976-77 season. The Illini have dominated the series recently, winning nine of the last 10 meetings between the two schools. Despite falling to MSU a year ago, Illinois won 10 swimming events at the meet and earned top-three finishes in both 1-meter and 3-meter diving competition.
The meet’s theme is Breast Cancer Awareness (Divin’ for Hope) and fans are urged to wear pink to the pool. Giveaways include pink cupcakes, lemonade and wristbands.
Event Order
1. 200 Medley Relay
2. 1000 Freestyle
3. 200 Freestyle
4. 100 Backstroke
5. 100 Breaststroke
6. 200 Butterfly
7. 50 Freestyle
8. 1 Meter Diving
9. 100 Freestyle
10. 200 Backstroke
11. 200 Breaststroke
12. 500 Freestyle
13. 100 Butterfly
14. 3 Meter Diving
15. 400 Individual Medley
16. 200 Freestyle Relay
Next Up
The Orange and Blue will travel to Carbondale, Illinois, to take on both Southern Illinois and Illinois State on Saturday, October 20. Meet competition is set for 1 p.m. CT.