The Illinois swimmers rebounded after a tough pair of meets last weekend as they topped undefeated Illinois State 172-128 in Normal on Friday. On their way to the victory, the Illini set a pair of pool records and grabbed a dozen first-place prizes.

“I was very happy with how they competed,” head coach Sue Novitsky said. “I wanted them to come in and compete as a whole team, and everybody stepped up.”

The break in Big Ten competition gave the Illini a close meet in which to play with lineups and work on their overall dual meet performance.

Illinois’ seniors led the way, as Britta Jansson and Kathyrn Easey each picked up a pair of first-place finishes. Jansson finished the 200 fly in 2:08.47, and touched the wall in 5:04.95 for first in the 500 free. Easey scored a win in the 200 breast, which she finished in 2:24.35 and added another in the 200 individual medley, with a time of 2:12.91.

Novitsky said the senior class is stepping up its leadership on the scoreboard and in the lockerroom.

“It’s good to see them stepping into that role, knowing what they need to do,” Novitsky said. “That’s one of the things I stressed to our upperclassmen, that the freshmen are looking at you, they’re still trying to figure out what they’re doing, so take the extra time and help them out. They’re starting to relish that role a little bit.”

Illinois proved its strength from the start, winning the first event, the 200 medley relay, in a pool-record 1:48.42. That relay team consisted of Meghan Farrell, Easey, Christina Brunka and Barbie Viney.

Novitsky said the impressive start gave Illinois the jump it needed to compete well throughout the dual meet.

“I think it helped us get into the meet a little bit quicker,” Novitsky said. “By the time we were rolling through the middle portion of it, we were scoring three individuals in most events, which is something we haven’t had happen consistently throughout the year.”

Illinois also set the pool record in the 200 free relay, as Farrell, Katie Theissen, Brunka and Viney pulled together for a 3:32.62 finish.

On the diving side, junior Jackie Bain led Illinois with a fourth-place finish in the 1-meter. Teammates Marina Mendoza and Abbey Bernardo finished right behind her, taking fifth and sixth place, respectively.

Bain and Mendoza held the same positions on the 3-meter, which Bernardo sat out, still nursing an ankle injury.

Diving coach Billy McGowan said Bernardo is working her full range of dives back into her repertoire. McGowan said he is happy with the effort he has seen from freshman Mendoza as she struggles to adjust to college competition.

Illinois’ swimmers have an extended Thanksgiving break, as they will not compete again until Dec. 2.

With athletes wearing down and at least one case of mononucleosis on the team, Novitsky said the break in competition could not have come at a better time.

“It gives them a little bit of rest and gives me a chance to redirect them and adjust my training plan accordingly,” Novitsky said.

But the divers are getting ready to head to the Indiana Invitational on Friday. McGowan said this meet will signal the end of the toughest part of the season, in which the divers focus on improving their strength and conditioning.

He said all he is looking for this weekend will be strong fundamentals and a positive attitude heading into the Thanksgiving break.

“They’ve worked hard to this point, so we know if they keep working hard through this week, through this meet, after the break when they come back that’s when it will pay off and things will start coming together,” McGowan said.

“That’s the key, to keep fighting, not give up. Then we’ll get there.”