By: Brian Kindt
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The Illinois College men's and women's swimming teams took to the pool to begin their 2019-20 campaign on Friday against Franklin College. However, Franklin was able to outduel the Blueboys and the Lady Blues. The Franklin women won, 123-63, while the Franklin men won, 130-52.
The biggest story of the evening took place as senior Hannah Marks set the 100 Butterfly record in a 1:02.63 clip for the Lady Blues. This was her first time competing collegiately in this event. This pace gave her a second-place finish, falling 0.15 seconds shy of taking first place.
Next up, the Lady Blues were able to notch the third-fastest women's 200 medley relay in school history at a 1:57.81 clip. Hannah Baker led off the relay in strong fashion with a time of 30.35. Marks did her usual thing as she swam a 30.92 leg of the breaststroke. Nicole Homann did her job as she swam a 31.05 third leg in the butterfly. Finally, the anchor of the relay, Marjori Russo, had the best leg for the Lady Blues as she swam an impressive 25.49 in the freestyle. The Lady Blues quartet took first place.
For the men,
Myles Genrich had the fourth-fastest 1000 Freestyle in school history at a pace of 10:52.89. Genrich swam his fastest 50 of the night during his first lap, posting an imposing time of 27.75. Genrich swam his last 50 at a competitive time of 29.04. He took second place in this event.
The other Illinois College victory on the night took place in the men's 500 yard Freestyle.
Marty Ambre was the winner of this event, posting a time of 5:09.98.
The Lady Blues and the Blueboys took second place in five events from Ambre (200 Freestyle, 1:53.07), Russo (50 Freestyle, 26.65), Marks (100 Butterfly, 1:02.63), Baker (100 Backstroke, 1:06.65) and the women's 200 Freestyle relay that included Lindsay Bruce, Kate Edelstein, Cassie Reeve and Jacquelin Castellon. They swam a 1:55.30.
The Lady Blues and the Blueboys will suit up tomorrow, October 26, at 1 p.m. as they battle the Lincoln College Lynx in Lincoln, Ill.
