Huskers Fall to Illinois in Season Opener

Champaign, Ill. - The Nebraska swimming and diving team lost its first meet of the season on Friday to Illinois, 171-129, in Champaign, Ill. The Fighting Illini were playing in their first home meet in four years after moving to a new facility this season.

The Huskers took home first-place finishes in seven out of the 16 events but couldn't put together enough consistency to come out ahead in the meet. Illinois jumped off to a quick lead by winning five of the first six events and never looked back.

"Illinois had a great meet," NU Head Coach Pablo Morales said. "It's been four years since they've had a home meet and they had a great crowd."

Sophomore Jess Andrews had two first-place finishes for the Nebraska, winning the 50-yard freestyle (24.43) and the 100-yard freestyle (53.24).

"Jess had a fantastic meet," Morales said. "She's really starting to blossom into one of the best sprinters in the conference. That's what we were hoping for when we recruited her."

The Huskers also finished first in the 200-yard freestyle (Julie Giehl, 1:54.12), 500-yard freestyle (Mariah Hutchinson, 5:06.92) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:32.99).

In the diving competitions, Courtney Jolly had wins in both the one and three meter dives.

"We knew they'd be hyped," Morales said about the Illinois squad. "They had some fabulous swims that really exceeded the scouting that we had on them. But I think we can take some positives out of this meet. It will serve as a good baseline for us to continue to improve."

The Huskers have next week off before heading to Lawrence, Kan., for the Big 12 Relays. Nebraska's next dual meet is on Nov. 1 as the team travels to Iowa.