Redbird Swim and Dive Prepare for Tough Challenge at Purdue Invitational

Image Courtesy of Redbird Athletics

NORMAL, Ill. – The Redbirds are heading to West Lafayette, Indiana, for the Purdue Invitational. The universities competing are Purdue, Grand Canyon University, Florida International University, Southern Illinois University, and McKendree University.

Last Friday, the Boilermakers defeated Rutgers by 191-106. The Boilermakers produced 13 event wins in freestyle, backstroke, diving, and relay, with the highlights being Abby Marcukaitis sweeping all backstroke events. Five Boilermakers swept the individual freestyle events and went 1-2-3 in four of those five events. They came out with a first and second-place finish in the 400 and 1000-meter freestyle relays.

Grand Canyon University will also be attending the Purdue Invitational. In their last meet, the Air Force Academy defeated them with a score of 199-154. The Antelopes won the 200-yard individual medley relay with a time of 1:42.4. Raphaela Nakashima won the 200-yard individual medley relay and the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:2.58. Their record is currently tied at 6-6.

Florida International University swimming is coming off a win against Nova Southeastern University and Lynn University, and their diving team swept Florida Atlantic University. The Panthers took away 12/21 events with 30 top-three finishes. Freshman Tawannah McLemore placed first in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.34 and the 100-yard individual medley with a time of 57.94. McLemore also won in the 400-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay alongside her team. Their record sits at 2-2

Southern Illinois University is coming off a tri-meet where they defeated the Redbirds and lost to the Fighting Illini. They defeated the Redbirds 227.5-72.5; their score against the Fighting Illini was 157-143. Olivia Herron broke the school and Missouri Valley record for the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:58.80. She broke the Missouri Valley record by over a second. The Salukis finished first in the 200-yard medley relay, breaking the school and pool record with a time of 1:38.75 by Celia Pulido, Olivia Herron, Bea Padron, and Susana Hernandez.

McKendree University won against Evansville University with a score of 156-91. Their last meeting was in late October. Jocelyn Zgola won the 500 and 1000-yard freestyle with times of 5:17.89 and 10:47.31. Freshman Bianka Bukovics won the 100 and 200-yard backstrokes with times of 1:00.09 and 2:09.25. Bukovics was part of the 200-yard medley relay team that placed third on the day with a time of 1:50.39.

Your Redbirds are entering this invitational with a 0-4 record and are hoping to get their first win.