McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University swimming and diving teams achieved second place in their home opener at the Halloween Invite held on October 28 at Fort Natatorium, Bloomington, Illinois. The women's team secured second position in a six-team competition, while the men's team finished as runners-up among five teams.

Augustana College emerged victorious in both categories. The Augustana women earned 114 points, surpassing IWU's 86 points, with Rose-Hulman taking third place with 59 points. In the men's standings, Augustana accumulated 115 points. Illinois Wesleyan followed with 84 points and Anderson placed third with 53 points.

Illinois Wesleyan recorded three relay victories during the event. Senior Lauren Feddersen from Champaign claimed an individual win for the women's team in the 200-yard breaststroke, clocking a time of 2:34.73.

The women's team also excelled in relays, winning two events. Sophomore Kayleigh Kuschewski and seniors Jackie Rae Kelch and Natalie Wajda led the Titans to victory in the 300-yard backstroke relay with a time of 3:04.77. Freshman Abi Zelikman joined Feddersen and junior Hadley Fudge to secure another win in the 300-yard breaststroke relay with a time of 3:33.90.

On the men's side, juniors Alex Kula and Carter Dilger each secured wins. Kula triumphed in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 49.37 seconds, while Dilger won the 200-yard butterfly event by finishing at 2:03.6.

The men's relay team achieved success by winning the title in the 300-yard medley relay event thanks to senior Ethan Lowder, sophomore Jay Jenkins, and freshman Jack Hansen who completed it with a combined time of 2:48.57.

Looking ahead, Illinois Wesleyan will compete against Augustana College on November 11 as part of their upcoming schedule.