LINCOLN, Ill. – The Illinois College men's and women's swimming & diving teams began their 2018-19 seasons on Saturday against two schools already deep into competition. So though the Blueboys and Lady Blues managed only one win on the day against Lincoln College and the University of St. Mary, things look bright as a number of freshmen posted impressive opening meets.
The biggest story of the day for Illinois College came in the diving competition where freshman
Donna Jenkins set school records on both the 1-Meter and 3-Meter boards. Across six dives, she totaled 172.45 points on the 1-Meter board and 131.85 points on the 3-Meter board.
The day began with winning relays in both the men's and women's 200 Medley.
Kate Edelstein,
Hannah Marks,
Marcella Jacquemain and
Jacquelin Castellon combined for a time of 2:03.17 to squeak past Lincoln. In the men's event, Myles Genrich, Mike Weisenfelder, Steven Lorett and Isaac Daigle posted a large victory against Lincoln.
Another freshman debuting for the Lady Blues was
Caitlyn Bowser. In the opening race of her IC career, she finished with the second-best 1000 Freestyle in program history, ending in 12:31.64. Marty Ambre followed that up with a winning time of 10:53.59 in the 1000 Freestyle, putting himself into third place all-time in that event (behind two of his other past swims).
Illinois College had victories in two other events on Saturday.
Marcella Jacquemain outtouched Lincoln's Miranda Kindhart at the wall with a time of 2:29.01 in the 200 IM.
Hannah Marks had a slightly easier time in the 100 Breaststroke, though both Lincoln and St. Mary had tough competition for her. Marks' time of 1:12.39 gave her the victory by slightly under two seconds.
The Blueboys and Lady Blues also combined to have runner-up finishes from Edelstein (200 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke),
Lindsay Bruce (50 Freestyle), Weisenfelder (50 Freestyle), Lorett (100 Butterfly), Marks (100 Freestyle), Genrich (100 Backstroke), Ambre (500 Freestyle) and
Maddie Headtke (500 Freestyle). In the final event of the day, both teams took second in the 200 Freestyle Relay. For the Lady Blues, it was Headtke, Bowser, Castellon and Bruce combining for a time of 2:00.29. The Blueboys had Ambre, Lorett, Weisenfelder and Daigle team up for a 1:36.19.
Illinois College will be back at Coultas Natatorium for its home opener on Nov. 3. The Blueboys and Lady Blues host a quad meet at 1 p.m. against Knox College, Millikin University and Principia College.
