Illinois Swim and Dive Team Gears Up for Hawkeye Invite
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini swim and dive team is preparing for the highly anticipated Hawkeye Invite in Iowa City, Iowa, from November 21-23. The competition will feature preliminary heats at 10 a.m. and finals at 5 p.m. CT each day, with teams from Arkansas, Colorado State, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, and San Diego State also in attendance.
Last year, the Illini finished third at the Boilermaker Invite, achieving a remarkable eight top-10 program marks, including four school records. This year, the team is led by standout freshmen, particularly Chloe Diner, who recently set a new school record in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:01.59 and recorded the second-fastest 200 IM in program history at 1:59.18 during the last meet on November 1. Another freshman, Kayla Duran, also made a significant impact, swimming the second-fastest 100 breaststroke in Illinois history at 1:01.82.
Both Diner and Duran contributed to the 200 medley relay, with their separate teams achieving top-10 program marks. Diner’s team, alongside seniors Suvana Baskar and Logan Kuehne, and freshman Isabella Wilhelm, secured the fifth-fastest finish at 1:40.25. Meanwhile, Duran joined seniors Sydney Stoll and Laurel Bludgen, and freshman Sophia Paduano, to post the eighth-fastest time of 1:40.67.
Additionally, freshman Kennedy Rainwater made her mark in her debut, recording the program’s 10th-fastest 1000 freestyle at 10:09.15. The Illini look to build on their successful performances as they head into the midseason tournament, aiming for strong showings against a competitive field.
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Photo credit fightingillini.com