NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Redbird Athletics is preparing for their 2021 swimming/diving season.
In an Oct. 26 press release, coach Caitlin Hamilton announced the schedule was finalized.
“It is a sense of relief to finally have our meet schedule for the upcoming season,” Hamilton shares.
Hamilton would mention that coaches in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) would meet and agree to a revised schedule. This schedule would put their student-athletes’ safety at the forefront while having a competitive season.
“We are grateful to have meets to look forward to and prepare for,” Hamilton adds.
2021 Illinois State season preview
The Redbirds will kick off their season in Chicago on Jan. 30 for the University of Chicago Diving Invitational.
The team will then host their first of two home meets in Normal on Feb. 13 against Valparaiso.
Illinois State will be on the road to Northern Iowa on Feb. 27 before entering a three-week break. It’s possible the three-week hiatus is in place should there be any meet cancellations.
Following the break, the Redbirds will be back on the road to Carbondale, Ill. on Mar. 19 for a meet against Southern Illinois and Evansville.
The 2021 season will end at home on Mar. 27 against Little Rock. The meet against Little Rock is unique as it will be a virtual meet. While the Redbirds are the home team, they will be competing at Horton Pool. Meanwhile, Little Rock will be competing at their home facility as the away team.
The events will have strict starting times. Meet officials will be sending results back-and-forth between the schools through their scoring systems.
The Missouri Valley Championships are currently on the schedule for April 14-16 in Carbondale. More information will be available as MVC makes details on the championship available at a later date.
In compliance with local and state guidelines, there will be no fans in attendance at Horton Pool. Should guidelines change, Redbird Athletics will alert fans of an update.
This article is based on a news release from Illinois State University Athletics.
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