CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini Swimming and Diving team returns home to host the annual Splash Bash against in-state rival Northwestern this Friday at 5 p.m. at the ARC Pool after a successful weekend in East Lansing, Michigan. Following the team’s final home meet of the 2015-16 campaign, UI will hit the road Saturday morning and head to Carbondale, Illinois, for a meet with Southern Illinois and Illinois State starting at noon.
“We have had some close meets with Northwestern in the past, especially the past couple of years,” said head coach Sue Novitsky. “Once again it is going to come down to solid execution in all of the events. I am looking forward to having a big crowd at the pool to make it a great environment to compete in and really supporting our team.”
Northwestern holds an 18-7 lead in the all-time series, including a 160-140 victory over the Illini in last year’s competition. The Wildcats head into the weekend coming off wins over Chicago, UIC and Denison a week ago.
To celebrate the annual Splash Bash, doors will open an hour before competition for Halloween festivities, including pumpkin decorating and free candy. There will also be complimentary pizza for the first 500 Illini fans in attendance.
Splash Bash Event Order
- 400 Medley Relay
- 1000 Freestyle
- 200 Freestyle
- 100 Backstroke
- 100 Breaststroke
- 200 Butterfly
- 50 Freestyle
- 1 Meter Diving
- 100 Freestyle
- 200 Backstroke
- 200 Breaststroke
- 500 Freestyle
- 100 Butterfly
- 3 Meter Diving
- 400 Individual Medley
- 400 Freestyle Relay
Following the Splash Bash, the Illini will hit the road to take on Illinois State and Southern Illinois on Saturday, October 31, at 12 p.m. in Carbondale, Illinois.
“Coming back and competing on the road Saturday is going to be a big test for us as a team,” shared Novitsky. “It will be fantastic practice for our upcoming invitational and the Big Ten Championships in February, when we have to compete multiple times on the same day and three days in a row. Both teams are going to be able to challenge us in many areas and we have to be able to refocus and take care of business.”
To celebrate the annual Splash Bash, doors will open an hour before competition for Halloween festivities, including pumpkin decorating and free candy. There will also be a complimentary slice of pizza for the first 200 Illini fans in attendance.
Last Time Out
Illinois enters the weekend coming off a successful road trip in East Lansing that saw the Orange and Blue win 12 of 16 events. With the 182-118 victory over Michigan State, the team earned its fourth-straight victory to start the season, marking the best start since the 2010-11 campaign.
Next Up
Friday’s Splash Bash marks the final home meet for the Illini, as the rest of the season’s competition will be on the road. Following Saturday’s meet in Carbondale, the Illini will travel to Miami, Florida, to take on Florida International in a two-day meet, opening on Friday, November 6, at 4 p.m. CT.
Swimming news courtesy of Illinois Swimming & Diving.
