Ready to Make Waves: Redbirds Open Season vs. Sycamores
Written by Quinn Flavin on October 4, 2024
Image Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics
NORMAL, Ill. – Redbird Swimming and Diving is having their first meet of the season this Friday at 2 pm in Horton Field House vs Indiana State.
Head Coach Riley Hilbrandt shared her feelings for this upcoming meet and the season moving forward. Coach Hilbrandt and the team are showed excitement about their race this week after their Red vs. White intrersquad meet. The team has been training hard and are excited to show off what they have been working on.
This meet is focused on Mental Health Awareness thanks to fifth year senior Cassidy Carey and her involvement in The Hidden Opponent Register Student Organization on campus. The team and coaches talk everyday about their mental health as it is important for all student-athletes. The team will be wearing and giving out bracelets, pins, and tattoos to support.
As for the meet being against Indiana State, the Redbirds have typically raced them at the end of the season previously, so this will be a different experience for them. The Redbirds will look to set the tone for the season as the Sycamores were ranked number two in conference preseason polls while your Redbirds were ranked fourth.
“Its a good start to see where we’re at [and] what we need to work on,” said Coach Hilbrant. “When it comes to the rest of the meets going forward, the team plans to use this week’s results to see how best to structure their lineups, as well as looking at their splits and consistency.”