Swimming and diving won its first official away meet of the season Saturday, defeating Illinois State 149-94.

While the 45-minute trip to Illinois State was one of the team’s shortest road trips this season, it started the Illini on the right foot.

“It’s always good to get more experience on the road,” head coach Sue Novitsky said. “Swimming away from home is never easy, no matter where you go, even if it’s just 40 or 50 miles away.”

Double winners for the team were seniors Kirsten Koepcke and Trisha Lakatos. Koepcke won the 200 and 500 free, while Lakatos took first in the 200 yard IM and the 200 breast.

Lakatos’ 200 breaststroke win was especially important for the Illini, who have struggled to find a leader to replace Ilkay Dikmen, who completed her eligibility in May.

“She’s a talented athlete, she’s scored in breast stroke events at Big Tens her first three years here,” Novitsky said.

Illinois also swept the top three spots in the 400 medley relay, led by the team of Lakatos, freshman Mallory Craft, junior Christina Brunka and sophomore Barbie Viney. The winning team finished the race in 1:36.33.

“It’s all about competing,” Novitsky said. “ISU has some very good athletes. They have a very young team as well this year.”

Viney contributed to setting two records Saturday. Individually she finished the 100 free in 51.19 seconds; Viney also was part of the record-breaking 200 free relay that won in 1:36.33. Other swimmers on that relay were Brunka, Craft and sophomore Rebecca Poetz.

The Redbirds sandwiched the Illini in the 200 yard fly, as Illinois State freshmen Tracy Deyell and Jamie Haseman came in first and fourth respectively.

Illinois State sophomore Jenny Klicka won the 1000 freestyle in a personal best time of 10:39.54.

While the Illini swam to an easy victory, the Redbirds dominated in the diving well. Illinois State senior Krystal Featherston finished first in the one meter and three meter events.

“They have older divers, they certainly have a bigger diving team,” said Illinois diving coach Billy McGowan. “Based on fundamentals and the skills we’re trying to build, our girls have the edge.”

Divers compete at UIC

After competing at Illinois State Saturday, the Illini divers continued their weekend with a Sunday trip to Illinois-Chicago.

Despite finishing last in the five-team field, diving coach Billy McGowan saw some positives in the competition.

“I wasn’t really looking to score high in the field because of our team’s size,” McGowan said.

Sophomore Jackie Bain placed 10th in the 3-meter and 15th in the 1-meter, while freshman Abbey Bernardo followed her in the 1-meter finishing 16th and placed 19th in the 3-meter.