Illinois Edges Nebraska

Lincoln - A strong finish propelled the Illinois swimming and diving team past Nebraska,165-135, on Saturday morning at the Devaney Natatorium. The Fighting Illini won the final five events of the meet to secure the victory.

The Huskers started out strong, winning three of the first four events, including Brandie Kavalec's in the 1,000-yard freestyle, Julie Giehl in the 200-yard freestyle and Ellan Dufour in the 100-yard backstroke. Illinois would win the next five events, with the Huskers coming in second in each.

Dufour earned her second win of the day in the 200-yard backstroke, giving her two wins in the first two races of her career at Nebraska. Following Dufour's second victory, fellow freshman Kelsey Larson won the 200-yard breaststroke, with teammate Kaitlin Arntz following right behind her in second. Illinois won the 500-yard freestyle after that, and going into the second diving break, after 12 events, the score was tied 113-113.

That led to the Illini's strong finish, led by senior Jen Ivarson, who came in first in two of those final five events, the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard IM.

Illinois' Lauren Wismer swept the diving events, winning both the one and three meter dives. Nebraska freshman Amy Herman took second in the one meter and third in the three meter, while freshman Kaitlan Walker took second in the three meter and third in the one meter.

Illinois sealed the victory by finishing 1-2 in the final event of the meet, the 200-yard freestyle relay, and won 11 of the 16 events overall on the day.

The Huskers hit the road next weekend as they travel to Columbia, Mo., for the Big 12 Relays. It will mark the first of three trips to Columbia on the season, as Nebraska will also travel to Missouri's home pool for the Missouri Invitational and for a dual against the Tigers later in the season.