NU swimming team suffers narrow loss in dual vs. Illinois

One of the perks of joining a new conference is facing new opponents and forming new rivalries.

Nebraska's swimming and diving team didn't waste any time developing a new rivalry in its first-ever Big Ten match.

On Saturday, the Huskers squared off against Illinois at the Devaney Center Natatorium — an exhilarating dual that went down to the very last event before the winner became clear. NU fell to Illinois 152-148 and dropped to 2-2 on the season.

Though a new conference rivalry may be on the horizon, Saturday's dual wasn't the first time the two schools had met. NU is 1-4 all-time against the Fighting Illini.

"We've had Illinois on our schedule for the last five years," said assistant coach Doug Humphrey. "I think if we were to have a rivalry with a Big Ten school, they would probably be the first one since we've had such an extensive history with them as of late."

Since the 2007-2008 season, the Huskers and Fighting Illini have squared off against each other each year.

The 2007-2008 match is significant for another reason: It marks the only time that Nebraska came away from the dual with a victory.

Since then, Illinois has dominated the series by winning four straight duals, a stat that doesn't sit well with junior Hayley Martin, a Monona, Wis., native, or the other 10 Huskers who come from Big Ten states.

"Being from Wisconsin, I personally wanted to prove to the rest of the Big Ten that Nebraska means business," Martin explained. "The rest of those schools are looking at us as the ‘newbies' – sort of as an easy win. That's not the case.

"Obviously, I think every Big Ten team is going to be a rival down the road, but seeing as we have a lot of girls from Big Ten country — and a few from Illinois — that should be enough to make this one that much more special."

NU's Bailey Pons got things started for the Huskers by winning the 1,000-yard freestyle. In the next event, Martin kept the winning streak going in the 200-yard freestyle event by recording a 1:51.99.

Illinois went on to win the next four events: the 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard butterfly and the 50-yard freestyle.

Perhaps the most successful Husker on Saturday was Ariel Weech, whose presence was severely missed during the fall season due to a family issue.

Weech, a native of the Bahamas, recorded first place finishes in the 100-yard freestyle and as the anchor of the 400-yard freestyle relay team.

She also received second-place accolades in the most exciting race of the night: the 50-yard freestyle. She was denied first-place honors by finishing .11 seconds behind Illinois' Kristen Manias.

What's even more impressive is that Weech had been sick with the flu all week.

"I'm not at all surprised," coach Humphrey said about Weech's performance. "She missed the entire fall season because a family member passed away. Her capabilities are endless. She's dependable and I expect to see a lot of good things from her the rest of the season."

Payton Michaud also recorded two first place finishes in the 1-and-3-meter diving event.

Saturday's stunning loss not only marked Nebraska's second loss of the season but also its second loss of the week. The Huskers will look to get back on track with their Jan. 28 match against Iowa State.

jcreid@dailynebraskan.com