The University of Illinois relay teams grabbed first and second in both relay events, sweeping up major points to take down the Iowa State women, 164.5 to 135.5.
The Illinois medley ‘A’ team of Sloane McDermott, Jennifer Coady, Lori Lynn, and Gabrielle Bethke took the Illini’s first relay win in 1:45.91, closely followed by their ‘B’ team of Samantha Gowdy, Bella Schamber, Sarah Sykstus, and Audrey Rodawig (1:46.75). The Illinois ‘B’ team outtouched Iowa State’s ‘A’ team, who hit in 1:46.85.
Illinois grabbed another 15 points in the 400 free relay, where the ‘A’ team of Rodawig, Bethke, Gabbie Stecker, and Kirsten Zborek swam a 3:28.54. Their ‘B’ team Megan Vuong, Sykstus, Amelia Schilling, and Sam Stratford clocked 3:30.82 for second, again just ahead of Iowa State’s ‘A’ relay’s 3:31.19.
Stratford won the 1000 free by a long shot, clocking 10:29.94 to second place Iowa State freshman Haley Ruegemer‘s 10:37.98. Her 200 IM was another win, a 2:05.48.
Schilling also grabbed double individual wins for the Illini in both the 200 free (1:52.80) and the 500 free (5:02.71), where she came in five seconds ahead of the field.
Other big wins for Illinois came from Stecker in the 200 fly, 2:03.62; freshman Vuong in the 100 free (52.56), and Lynn in the 100 fly (55.95).
Iowa State also had two double-event winners. Kasey Roberts, the reigning Big 12 Swimmer of the Week, finished first in the 100 breast in 1:05.01 and the 200 breast in 2:19.72. Marissa Engel took the backstroke events, finishing the 100 in 57.97 and the 200 in 2:03.30.
Other event wins for Iowa State came in the 50 free (Maddie Ratstall, 24.38), the 3 meter diving event (Julie Dickinson, 302.85), and the 1 meter diving event (Elyse Brouillette, 273.67).
