The women’s swim team went up against the Illinois-Chicago squad this past weekend at Lantz Natatorium, losing by a mere 30 points (134-104) to keep their season winless at 0-3. They look to rebound on Oct. 27 at home against Evansville at 1 p.m. Assistant coach Kim Fischer said the team’s only bad meet was its 143-85 loss at Ball State.

“(In practice) it shows you motivation, it gives you something to work on,” Fischer said of how the team looks to rebound against Evansville. “We had one bad meet, but comparatively, we swim against stronger teams so it gives us something to work for.”

The Panthers’ other loss was at the season opener at Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis 151-147.

Zillmer wins Summit League Athlete of the Week award

Sophomore freestyle sprinter Lauren Zillmer was rewarded for her three titles against IUPUI, including the 200-meter freestyle (2:01.69), the 50-meter freestyle (25.75) and the 100-meter freestyle (56.51), winning the Summit League Athlete of the Week award. She led the Panthers with a first-place finish in the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 2:00.45, faster than her previous time in the IUPUI meet.

“Zillmer is a sophomore,” Fischer said. “She’s becoming more desirable and won three races in our first meet. We’re missing Marlise (Davidson’s) stats since she was a sprint-freestyle (swimmer), but Zillmer is young and is able to develop.”

As of Oct. 10, Zillmer’s 200-meter freestyle time against the Jaguars was tied for third with IIUPUI’s Sara Smith in the Summit League statistics.

Zillmer’s best time in the 200-meter freestyle is 1:58.24. She swam that time at the Mid-Continent Conference Championship last season.

Team looks for ‘consistency’

After starting the year 0-3, the women’s swim team will look for more consistency from everyone in order to rebound and get the first win of the year against Evansville.

“It’s important to keep the team morale up,” Fischer said. “It is also important to put everything you have into what practices are given. (We’re seeking) consistency.”

Senior Patty Young had a first place finish in the 200-meter breaststroke with in 2:30.56 and most recently a victory in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:10.17). Also having a rather unnoticed consistent start is sophomore Laura Nilsen, who had three titles against IUPUI in the 100-meter backstroke (1:01.01), 200-meter backstroke (2:10.36), and 100-meter butterfly (1:01.96).