OCTOBER 2025
THE DAILY ILLINI
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Editor’s note
SPORTS EDITOR BRENDAN GALLIAN sports@dailyillini.com
Editor-in-Chief: Sam Gregerman editor@dailyillini.com
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Daily Illini
What about sports captures our imagination? To me, they’re a form of art. Athletes and coaches create masterpieces, painted on grass, turf, hardwood and a dozen other canvases.
Like art, sports conjure visceral emotions — good and bad. The old cliche “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” holds true for both athletes and fans alike.
Most importantly, sports are often beautiful. A perfectly executed, perfectly called play might as well be the work of Rembrandt or Picasso. Take, for instance, a moment from the football team’s game against Ohio State earlier this month:
Luke Altmyer takes the snap, immediately fips the ball to Hank Beatty, who then pitches it to a wideopen Aidan Laughery for the touchdown. All this in a
rocking Gies Memorial Stadium with a sea of orange and the voices of 60,000 behind them.
It’s just one play out of hundreds, one game out of 12 and one sport out of dozens. Yet, there’s something magical about it.
Think of this issue as an art gallery, from the cover, where Illinois’ brightest stars appear as larger-than-life superheroes, to the pages, where you’ll read stories about them and their teams — our teams.
You’ll read about the soccer team thriving under new head coach Katie Hultin, and the football team getting strong performances out of a trio of local players, and about the men’s basketball team poised for another strong season — even with a tough nonconference schedule ahead of it.
You’ll also read about women’s basketball, volleyball, swim & dive, club hockey and about some loyal fans, among much more.
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, there’s sure to be something inside these pages for you.
ON THE
COVER
RIKKIE GUNAWAN THE DAILY ILLINI
The University is home to countless star athletes, many of whom we pass by on the Main Quad or even attend class with. Alongside being students, these athletes balance the regular cadence of college life with their sports careers, much like how superheroes juggle a double life.
Emma Qian
5 6 9 10 12 14
Eats of the beat: Best and worst press box food from this season
Tailgates unite communities beyond the stadium
‘The University changed my life’: Larry Gies talks $100 million donation to DIA
Small-town players make big-time impact
First male Illinette makes history
2025-26 men’s basketball roster breakdown
Fresh, familiar faces: Illinois’ 2025-26 roster’s new depth
Strong nonconference schedule provides Illini challenge
Gallery | Best fall sports photos this year, so far
Huff Hall celebrates 100th anniversary
In with the new: Recruits bring life to Illinois volleyball
Illini in disguise: UI students find loyalty beyond orange and blue
Katie Hultin breathes life into Illinois soccer
Finding a way back home: Tara Hurless’ unique CU connection
Blood is thicker than ice: 3 sets of brothers make impact on Illini hockey
National champion Lucas Byrd sets sights on Hodge Trophy
Kenta Miyoshi reflects on success, works toward future
Goggles on: Swim & dive strives for individual, team greatness
Eats of the beat: Best and worst press box food from this season
SPORTS EDITOR
BRENDAN GALLIAN bdg4@dailyillini.com
SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
BEN SOMERVILLE bens4@dailyillini.com
We encountered a wide variety of cuisines throughout our travels while covering Illinois football for The Daily Illini. Some stood out as stars, while others couldn’t find their way off the bench. Here are our food reviews from different press boxes across the country.
DUKE: CHICKEN AND WAFFLES
It’s only ftting that Duke served a breakfast item for an early start time. Its press box split the upright with its chicken and wafes. It may be a simple dish, but that didn’t stop the dynamic duo from wowing our taste buds.
There was a heavy dusting of sugar on top of the wafes, which added a sweet element to contrast the savory chicken. When eaten together, they ceased being separate items and became one.
Each and every bite was a smash hit. When eaten separately, the chicken and the wafes were still able to fnd the endzone. Overall, the meal was a massive winner for us and our stomachs.
ILLINOIS: HOT DOGS
It’s tough to ruin a hot dog, and Illinois certainly
doesn’t at Gies Memorial Stadium. The dogs themselves are cooked with onions, adding a subtle flavor that certainly elevates the longtime stalwart.
Our biggest gripe was with the buns, which — for some inexplicable reason — open from the side as opposed to the top. The condiment selection is also limited to just two options: the steady duo of ketchup and mustard.
While the press box meal team boasts a deep squad, the hot dogs stand out as the best, and frankly, it isn’t even close.
ILLINOIS: BISCUITS AND GRAVY
A classic southern breakfast dish, biscuits and gravy was a touchdown choice for the early kickoff. Unfortunately, the seasoned vet did not rise to the occasion when its number was called.
Sports Editor Brendan Gallian and Senior Sports Reporter
Ben Somerville film a video reviewing hot dogs provided in the press box at Gies Memorial Stadium on Oct. 11.
The biscuits were cold, dry and difficult to swallow. The gravy helped soften them up, and while it was sublime, it didn’t do enough to overcome the hard biscuits. The biscuits and gravy was nothing for us to get excited about.
They also weren’t as filling as you would hope for from biscuits and gravy. We both had to go back for seconds, and we didn’t go back for the main dish. Illinois may have scored a touchdown with its choice, but the biscuits and gravy missed the extra point.
PURDUE: ITALIAN BEEF
After the scenic drive through the Illinois and Indiana countryside, we were starving and ready to eat. The Italian beef in Ross-Ade Stadium’s press box did little to satiate our hunger.
The beef itself was dry and severely lacking flavor,
and while the soft bun did its best to elevate the dish, there was no saving this catastrophe.
The true star at Purdue came off the bench. The doughnuts were game-changing; they have all the makings of a future Michelin star contender. It’s only a matter of time before they take over as the true No. 1 in West Lafayette, Indiana.
ILLINOIS: ‘CHICKEN’
The first problem with this Gies Memorial Stadium meal was the presentation. It was unclear what exactly we were eating. Unfortunately, it became clearer once we bit into the mess on our plates.
To put it simply, it tasted like shredded chicken and mustard mixed together. It was extremely unsettling for both our taste buds and stomachs. The side of corn helped, but wasn’t enough to overcome the strange sensation of truly flavorless chicken.
All told, Illinois dropped the ball with this one. We had to go back to the bench and call on the grizzled veteran, hot dogs.
There’s still plenty of season left, and plenty of flavors to experience. Follow along with us on The DI’s Instagram as we cook up more reviews for you to devour.
Read it on page Want to read another football story?
JOSH FINE THE DAILY ILLINI
Tailgates unite communities beyond the stadium
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
CHLOE BARBARISE
chloeb4@dailyillini.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ISABELLA LAZANSKY
ijl3@dailyillini.com
Whenever Illinois football hosts a game at Gies Memorial Stadium, Grange Grove comes alive with fans from near and far. Rows of tents line the feld, speakers blast all genres of music and the aroma of food wafts from smoking grills.
Even before kickof, fans gear up for their own event: tailgating.
Ryan Salamon, Block I vice president and senior in LAS, has tailgated throughout his four years at the University. Since his sophomore year, he said he’s attended every Block I tailgate, located in the northeast corner of Grange Grove.
“Tailgating means a lot to me,” Salamon said. “It is more than getting ready for kickof. To me, tailgating is about spending quality time with people who are special to you … Sometimes, the tailgate can be going so well that you do not want to leave and head in for the game.”
Block I is one of several student spirit organizations at the University and hosts tailgates before each home game. Salamon said the group usually tailgates for around three hours before doors open. However, 11 a.m. kickof times can change the schedule.
Even Grange Grove has experienced set-up changes,
with Big Noon Kickof stopping in Champaign for the frst — and second — time this season. Audrey Feagans, junior in Social Work, said the Homcoming tailgate — when Illinois faced of against USC — was one of her favorites.
“The atmosphere was incredible,” Feagans said. “Everyone was so excited, and it was really cool to witness the whole broadcast in person.”
Dino Seferović, Block I member and junior in FAA, also pointed to the Homecoming tailgate as his most memorable experience.
“I put on face paint, and I made a sign that made it on Barstool U’s Instagram,” Seferović said. “Despite the early start time, I really enjoyed the energy and atmosphere that the Illini fans brought, and it kept me going.”
The tailgating atmosphere dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where fall harvest celebrations consisted of community, music and refreshments as a fnal feast before winter’s arrival. Tailgating evolved in the ’50s, with the mass production of portable grills and plastic coolers, and further expanded in the ’70s, with the growth of stadium parking lots.
Research by Kyle Townsend, a professor at Georgia State University, found that most people won’t actually enter the stadium, instead opting for “the tailgate and the community around it.”
Tailgating at the University is a tradition that welcomes fans of all ages, and for some current Illini, the experience
started before they even set foot in college.
Salamon said his very frst Illinois tailgate was in 2016 when the team went head-tohead with Purdue. His family had received tickets from his dad’s boss, whom Salamon described as a “lifelong Illinois football fan.” They set up their tailgate in the grass lots near the baseball feld.
“It was not an all-out tailgate that you see alumni doing today, but the experience was incredible,” Salamon said. “I did not know anything about college football up to that point, but the experiences I had with family at this tailgate were memorable. Even
the people around our tailgate were friendly, ofering us food and drinks. To me, this experience sums up what tailgating is like at Illinois.”
What began as a childhood memory for Salamon has become a routine in his college life — an experience that continues to bring students, alumni and families together before every home game.
Although the 2025 Illinois football season is already more than halfway through, three home games remain against Rutgers, Maryland and Northwestern, meaning fans still have three more opportunities to experience a tailgate this year.
Ryan Anderson, a parent of an Illinois student, makes breakfast burritos for his family and friends before a football game on Oct. 11. He said this is only the second tailgate cookout he has hosted, but he wants to make it a tradition.
SAM RINK THE DAILY ILLINI
‘The University changed my life’:
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SAM GREGERMAN sg94@dailyillini.com
On Sept. 9, alum Larry Gies formally announced his donation of $100 million to the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, the largest in the department’s history. The former Memorial Stadium was renamed to add Gies’ surname to the title. He said his donation was intended to honor his father, Larry Gies Sr., a United States Army veteran.
The Daily Illini sat down with Gies to hear more about his perspective, touching on his goals, the donation’s impacts and his position on its reception.
**This interview has been edited for clarity and length.**
The Daily Illini: What led you to choose the DIA for your donation?
Larry Gies: I think of our University like a house, right? And to build a great
are spending time here, not only to learn but to share and to have impact.
But to build the best university, that house also has to have a great front door: something that people will see and be interested in. A lot of people frst see the University of Illinois through sports. I know I did.
My dad drove me down to a football game in 1980, and it changed my life, because I was like, “I want to come to this University.”
The University changed my life. It opened my eyes to the whole world. So, for me, I think it’s super important that our sports have the same ethos as the rest of the University.
Our grade point average for sports is the highest it’s ever been, so it’s truly creating an atmosphere of student athletes who are going to represent the University and play very, very hard when they’re wearing the orange and blue.
They’re also leaders in the classroom. They’re learning.
greatest house for the greatest university.
DI: You once said you would never donate to sports at the University. What changed?
Gies: When I frst met Josh Whitman nine years ago — when he took the helm as athletic director — I told him I would never give a donation to the athletic department.
What was great about Josh is the type of human he is. He still spent a lot of time with me, and it wasn’t to get a donation. We just became good friends. I really respect the team he’s building, and when I realized how important that front door of the University was, I said, “Josh, let’s do something together.”
I wanted to support Josh’s team because you invest in people, not things.
What I realized with Josh was that there’s a huge risk that a corporate donation could come in and put their name on the stadium. And it’s not just a stadium; it’s a
um, 189 of them have fallen soldiers’ names on them.
We have to be super thoughtful about what we do at the University, and by putting my father’s name on it, who was a veteran, we could make sure that nobody’s ever going to take the name “Memorial Stadium” off.
You notice even the font and the color type is done in such a way so you still see Memorial Stadium frst, which I think was very important because it is the memorial frst.
DI: Can you tell me a bit about your father?
Gies: My dad grew up in western Nebraska, and they didn’t have running water. The actual stove was also a furnace; it heated the house they were in. So he didn’t grow up with anything. He was the frst to go to college, and when he graduated, he volunteered for the Vietnam War.
He was a great patriot, just a great human being. He was a drill sergeant, so he
trained other soldiers. He just always espoused to me the ethos of patriotism and freedom and how important it is.
He took me to every game I ever went to growing up, and then, when I was in school, he came to every single game. We’d always go to dinner afterward. He was a big Illini fan and just a great human being.
DI: Could you tell me a little bit about any specifc initiatives or upgrades that your donation is specifcally intended to fund?
Gies: I’ve given Josh and his team full carte blanche to do whatever they want, so all those decisions will be made by them. They don’t have to check of with me; they don’t have to ask me. Again, you invest in people, not things, and I trust their judgment more than mine. My goal wasn’t to make the decisions; it was to invest in the people.
DI: There’s been some pushback to you renaming the stadium. The stadium was created with the intent to honor University students who lost their lives in World War I. I’m curious what your take is on that?
Gies: Well, I get it. It makes perfect sense to me. It’s a memorial. What’s unfortunately happening across universities and college athletics is that names are being thrown everywhere, right? Things are being sponsored; businesses are putting names on stadiums, buildings and so forth.
Even with the (Gies) College of Business, my goal was never to put my name on it, but what you fnd is if you actually step forward and put your name on something and put that stamp of approval, you fnd that more
dollars follow.
That was not something that I thought would happen, but I was told it would. And the empirical data shows that.
But I think the pushback is good because it reminds everyone that it is a memorial, and I don’t know that a lot of people on campus really realize that.
So, when we had the commemoration of the stadium and everything, I talked about the soldiers. I talked about the history and the 189 columns.
I reminded the football team of that, too. I said, “You’re not just playing for yourself. You’re not just playing for the players on your right and left. You’re playing for all these fallen soldiers and everybody who’s ever worn the uniform.” And that really resonated with them. I mean, you could hear a pin drop when I said it to them.
I think, at the end of the day, it’s scary to think that most of the names on those pillars were people the age of college students. It’s scary. So we have to remember that in the memorial. It’s super important.
DI: Have you been to any games yet with the new change?
Gies: I was at the Western Michigan game. For the Homecoming game, I was at a wedding — and I’ll get in trouble for this — but literally, when they kicked the fnal feld goal, there was a phone between an Illini and me.
We had seen a 14-point lead going into the fourth quarter, and we should not be doing this at a wedding, but it’s honest. We’re both sitting there, and there’s a bunch of Illini behind us,
too, and they’re peering over.
I was so bummed to miss the game, but there was something special sitting there with the Illini. That’s the community that sports bring. That’s the attachment. That’s what brings us back to campus and gives us the memories, right?
DI: How does it feel to be such a prominent benefactor for the University?
Gies: I mean, I’m very proud of what everyone is doing, but the Gies name is not my name. The people at the University are defning what it means by the impact they’re going to have on the world. So I think what I’m so proud of is the way students, the faculty and the administration are defning what that means.
We all want purposeful leaders who are going to do good for the world, and that that’s the highest calling we can have. I’m really proud of what they’re doing.
million donation to the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics last month. 30 Read it on page Check
with The Daily Illini on Oct. 10 to discuss his
MATT STEPP THE DAILY ILLINI
Alum Larry Gies sits down
$100
Small-town players make big-time impact
SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
BEN SOMERVILLE bens4@dailyillini.com
Illinois football features players from all over the country, but nearly half of its roster comes from within the state. In fact, some of the Illini’s best players this season grew up less than a 90-minute drive from Champaign, in towns with populations as small as 1,200 people.
Arguably the best player on the team, senior wide receiver Hank Beatty, hails from Rochester, Illinois. The town, with around 4,000 residents, sits right outside Springfeld.
Beatty is having a career year for himself — terrifying defensive and special teams coordinators alike. In the frst eight games, he has 690 receiving yards and two touchdowns, as well as 170 punt return yards and the frst punt return touchdown for Illinois since 2013.
The Illini coaching staf has allowed the 2021-22 Gatorade Illinois Football Player of the Year to reach his fullest extent in the ofense. He has a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown on the season.
“He should play defense,” said head coach Bret Bielema jokingly when asked what more Beatty can do. “I want an interception.”
Beatty’s teammates have nothing but positive things to add. Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer has said on multiple occasions that he has the highest trust in Beatty.
Junior running back Aidan Laughery has a close relationship with the senior wide re-
ceiver. Because of their close bond, he knew Beatty would be on top of his game.
“That’s my roommate,” Laughery said. “(He’s) my best friend … He’s a hell of a football player.”
The Illini have another Gatorade Illinois Football Player of the Year on their roster. Junior running back Kaden Feagin won the award in 202223, the following year after Beatty did. Feagin comes from Atwood, Illinois — a town of fewer than 1,200 people just south of Champaign.
Feagin is another cog in the high-powered ofense. He has nearly 500 total yards and six touchdowns on the season. Feagin’s 6-foot-3, 255-pound frame makes it nearly impossible to bring him down.
“He’s obviously huge,” Altmyer said. “Like the biggest dude out there. (He’s) a guy who wants to play … He attacks.”
The junior has certainly been in attack mode this season. He runs hard, rarely going down after frst contact. Feagin has been an important piece of the run game for the Illini.
Another talented smalltown player is Laughery. He grew up in Gibson City, Illinois, a town of just under 3,500 people and close to 30 minutes from Champaign. While he’s been injured most of this year, Laughery is still one of the more talented players on the roster.
In the frst game of the season, Laughery ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns. However, the next week at Duke, he left the game with a
lower-body injury. He’s played a handful of snaps since but hasn’t gotten any consistent playing time.
It’s a tough blow for the offense, as Laughery had nearly 600 rushing yards and four touchdowns last season while splitting carries with former Illini running back Josh McCray.
All three of these players have had a huge impact on this team. Beatty and Feagin are cornerstones of the offense, while Laughery’s return could add another element to the team that sets them above the rest of the conference.
All three hail from small
central Illinois towns. They have also all stuck with the Illini for their whole careers thus far, staying true to their original decisions.
The trio represents a broader shift in Illinois’ recruiting philosophy over the last 10 years. Instead of focusing on out-of-state talent, the Illini have restarted their eforts to sign all the in-state recruits they possibly can.
It seems to have paid of The Illini feature nearly 10 starters from Illinois this season. The growing representation of Illinois on the team bodes well for the future of instate recruiting.
Beatty stands in the endzone during warmups at the game versus No. 1 Ohio State on Oct. 11. The Buckeyes defeated the Illini 34-16.
SAM RINK THE DAILY ILLINI
Senior wide receiver Hank Beatty charges through the Western Illinois defence during the Illinois vs. Western Illinois football game on Aug. 29.
ISAAC PINKUS THE DAILY ILLINI
First male Illinette makes history
ASSISTANT ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
FELICITY ABBOTT fabbott2@dailyillini.com
While celebrating a friend’s birthday, Jeremiah Jordan, junior in FAA, received an email that redefned the culture of collegiate dance teams. Opening the message surrounded by his loved ones, Jordan discovered he had been selected as the University’s frst male Illinette.
“I was in disbelief,” Jordan said. “Oh my goodness, I was
in such disbelief.”
From 7 years old, Jordan lived and breathed through movement. He did anything he could to get and stay involved in the world of dance.
As a child, Jordan lacked support from his mom regarding his passion for dance, which included fnancial help. He was self-taught until the day he could apply for a work permit. Throughout his high school years, Jordan worked an after-school job to pay for dance classes, a true testament to his commitment
Jeremiah Jordan, junior in FAA, performs with the Illinettes Dance Team at the Homecoming football game on Sept. 27.
to the rhythmic art.
“ Growing up, I experienced a lot of hardships in many diferent ways,” Jordan said. “Dance was my way to keep me focused, keep me on track, to help me experience the things that I was going through at that time.”
A s he continued pursuing his love for dance, Jordan danced in programs at the Hawkins House of Dance, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and at his high school, Proviso East.
Even with minimal familial support, Jordan’s hard work throughout his dance career gave him the necessary skills to pave the way as an Illinette.
“You have to do what you got to do sometimes,” Jordan said. “It taught me if I really want something to go out and work for it. And I’m very determined to do the things that I want in life, so I’m always going to work for what I want.”
This determination played a crucial role for Jordan as he imagined himself in the role of an Illinette.
According to Barry Houser, director of the Marching Illini, the Illinettes were started in the ’70s as the marching band’s ofcial dance team. The team, along with other teams nationwide, had a rule that the squad of 28 must only be composed of females.
Houser was the one who questioned why.
“We all, as a university, started to put things under the microscope and look at things from that perspective of, ‘Why does it need to say that it needs to be 28 female dancers? Why can’t we just say it’s 28 dancers?’” Houser said.
Since its founding, the University has amassed various traditions, with some revolving around athletics. In recent years, the University has changed some traditions that were created closer to its founding. One controversial change made by the University was the retirement of Chief Illiniwek as its mascot.
When he frst arrived at the University, Houser said he had a lot of “trepidation” about changing any rules or traditions out of concern for others’ opinions.
“I was so worried about what alums were going to think, what people were going to think, so much so that it almost kept us from moving forward,” Houser said. “If there’s going to be people that respond negatively, then I feel that that’s more their problem than mine.”
A little over a decade ago, Houser ofcially wrote into rule that anyone — regardless of gender — could audition to be an Illinette.
When deciding whether or not to audition, Jordan approached Houser looking for advice. Houser assured Jordan that the selection process was talent-based, and if he loves dance and being part of the Illini athletics atmosphere, he should go for it.
Jordan also turned to his close friend and fellow junior in FAA Jayla Anderson before auditioning. Anderson’s response mirrored Houser’s, pushing Jordan to audition because, “You never know how things will work out, and it doesn’t hurt to try out.”
RINK THE DAILY ILLINI
After making the team, Jordan’s focus shifted to ftting into the crew as the frst male Illinette. Jordan said he sometimes felt like the “odd one out” when he frst joined the team, but he quickly fell into the welcoming atmosphere created by the other Illinettes.
“To be completely honest, I was a little bit worried because it’s new for everybody,” Anderson said. “(Jordan) had grown up in Black dance and Black dance teams, where they do (historically Black college and university) style dance, Majorette style, and this is a team that has never had a male on their team before. So I think I was a little bit worried about how that would be perceived and how that relationship would go, but I think that he’s handling it very well with a lot of grace.”
Jordan expressed that his background’s focus on HBCU
dance culture contributed to his original hesitation to audition for the Illinettes.
Jordan explained that HBCU dance teams are typically very strict about having all-female teams, so he was unsure what to expect when joining the Illinettes.
Now, as the first male Illinette, Jordan carries the
torch and lights the way for others who may be in the same position as him.
“I have mad respect, because even though we don’t have any parameters on gender, when you see that the team has been all female since the 1970s, that could be intimidating,” Houser said. “I think it takes a really special individual to also see
that and to put himself in that situation.”
Despite having an uncertain start, Jordan has taken his new position and fourished. He hopes that other male dancers can look at him and take inspiration from his journey.
Houser also hopes that Jordan’s representation of the University’s new precedents will help inspire other universities and institutions to follow suit and start reevaluating their rules and traditions. Jordan echoed this sentiment.
“Carrying the title of being the frst — to be quite blunt — (feels) bada--, I must say to you,” Jordan said. “It makes me feel good to know that I am the frst, especially being a Black man at a predominantly white institute here at the University. It makes me feel good to know that I can inspire the next generation of male dancers … who want to audition for the team.”
SAM RINK THE DAILY ILLINI
Jordan performs during halfime. He is pursuing a dance major and is the first male member of the team.
Illinois
athlete’s game-day playlist
Andrej Stojaković: “Wish I Never Met You - Prison Tapes” by Tory Lanez
Kylan Boswell & Mihailo Petrović: “Vidrado Em Você” by Dj Guuga, Mc Livinho
Jason Jakstys: “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma (From Twisters: The Album)” by Luke Combs
Auburn Tomkinson: “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath
Lety Vasconcelos: “Take Me Thru Dere” by Metro Boomin, Quavo, Breskii, YKNIECE, DJ Spinz
Sam Phillips: “Sympathy is a knife” by Charli xcx
Kenta Miyoshi: “Panama” by Van Halen
Adam Jilly: “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits, “More
by Boston
2025-26 men’s basketball roster breakdown
KYLAN BOSWELL: RETURNING SENIOR GUARD
Boswell returns to Illinois as the leader of a much more experienced roster. The Champaign native blossomed ofensively in the fnal month of last season, scoring in double fgures the fnal eight games, after being a stalwart defender all year. He’ll look to translate that momentum into more consistency this year while also improving his main pain point from last season: his three-point shooting.
“(I worked on) my mental aspect of the game and especially shooting; I made sure that was back on track,” Boswell said.
Boswell has also developed well physically, with head coach Brad Underwood describing him as “pound-forpound” one of the strongest athletes he’s ever coached.
JAKE DAVIS: RETURNING JUNIOR WING
Davis mainly brings shooting to this Illini roster. He shot 38.7% from deep as a freshman at Mercer in 28.6 minutes per game, but he had a slightly down year last season, only hitting 34.4% of his threes in just 9.4 minutes per game.
However, the coaching staf has the utmost faith in his ability to light it up and handle a larger role.
“Jake is an elite shooter,” Underwood said. “I can see
him having a tremendous role as we create space … He’s going to play a lot.”
BLAKE FAGBEMI: FRESHMAN GUARD, BENET ACADEMY
Fagbemi previously committed to Truman State before fipping to Illinois in May. Last season, he led Benet Academy to the IHSA Class 4A state title. The 6-foot guard from Naperville, Illinois, should spend most of his time on the bench, but he’s shown promise in practice so far.
“(He’s) right there with Kylan athletically,” Underwood said. “I mean, he’s probably got more dunks in practice at (6-foot) than anybody on our team.”
BEN HUMRICHOUS: RETURNING GRADUATE STUDENT FORWARD
Entering his sixth year of college basketball and second at Illinois, Humrichous substantially improved his physique over the summer. The 6-foot-9 forward added over 20 pounds in the ofseason, giving him the opportunity to be more physical and play “booty ball,” alongside being a continued threat from deep.
“(The extra weight helps) being able to attack the rim, be comfortable fnishing in the paint but then also being able to guard multiple positions with better physicality,” Humrichous said.
TOMISLAV IVIŠIĆ: RETURNING JUNIOR CENTER
Getting Tomislav back to
Champaign was a major priority for Underwood this ofseason — for good reason.
He was one of Illinois’ best players last season, contributing 13 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while leading the team in three-point percentage at 7-foot-1 (35.7% on 4.8 attempts per game). Skillwise, he has it all, so this ofseason was mainly centered on physical improvement.
“I would say mostly my focus was … getting more physical, (gaining) more weight, to jump higher, to run faster, to be in better shape,” Tomislav said.
ZVONIMIR IVIŠIĆ: TRANSFER JUNIOR CENTER, ARKANSAS
The twin of Tomislav, 7-foot-2 Zvonimir brings a different skill set to Champaign. While he’s also a great shooter — 37.6% from three last season — Zvonimir is quicker, more mobile and a more natural shot blocker. It remains to be seen how much the twins will play together, but Underwood has been testing it out in practice.
“I think it worked out pretty good,” Zvonimir said. “We can spread the court pretty good (together), we both talk, we can grab rebounds, block shots.”
JASON JAKSTYS: RETURNING REDSHIRT FRESHMAN FORWARD
Jakstys will make his debut this year after redshirting last season in favor of development. The 6-foot-10
Yorkville, Illinois, product has flled out his frame, putting on 32 pounds since arriving in Champaign just over a year ago.
“Ofensive rebounding for sure,” Jakstys said about his biggest improvement. “Being able to put on a bunch of muscle, now I can actually fght guys.”
Underwood not only sees him as one of the team’s best rebounders but also as a versatile piece that can make an impact.
“He’s a little bit deceiving in that he’s got a really good handle, so he can play into a lot of diferent actions,” Underwood said. “Maybe our best screener … He’s got just a tremendous knack to block shots as well.”
BRANDON LEE: FRESHMAN GUARD, THE PATRICK SCHOOL
Lee comes to Illinois as a four-star recruit from New Jersey. As a senior, he led his school to a 30-8 record while averaging 22 points per game.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 195 pounds, Lee is a hard-nosed guard who loves to attack the rim on offense and is also an energetic defender with an ultra-competitive attitude.
“Big, strong, physical, just downhill, and he’s an elite fnisher,” Underwood said.
DAVID MIRKOVIĆ: FRESHMAN FORWARD, SC DERBY
At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, Mirković provides physicality in the paint and is a strong rebounder, but he also brings guard skills to the table. The 19-year-old grew up playing point guard, so he is a natural facilitator and ballhandler, and he can also step out and shoot the three.
“On ofense, I’m pretty ver-
satile,” Mirković said. “I can do whatever you need from me on the court.”
MIHAILO PETROVIĆ: SOPHOMORE GUARD, KK MEGA BASKET
Petrović is a 22-year-old true point guard that has thrived in European professional basketball. In the Adriatic League last season, he averaged 14.2 points and 7.3 assists.
Underwood described the Serbian as a “jet” who is always comfortable having the ball in his hands. Petrović’s experience should make him more consistent compared to an 18-year-old Kasparas Jakučionis last season.
“On the court, I think that in college basketball, (there) is more physicality, and (it’s) more faster,” Petrović said. “In Europe, (it) is more tactical and (slow).”
AJ REDD: RETURNING SENIOR GUARD
Redd returns for his fourth year at Illinois after playing a career-high 14 games and 26 total minutes last season. The Chicago native will continue to sit at the end of the bench, but
Underwood continues to praises him as being a key piece of the culture.
“I need to talk more about AJ all the time,” Underwood said. “Really smart, cares, understands winning, understands people.”
TY RODGERS: REDSHIRT JUNIOR GUARD/FORWARD
After Rodgers redshirted last season, he sufered a setback this ofseason, injuring his knee during a pickup game and undergoing surgery. There is no timeline for his return.
“I was able to get closer with God,” Rodgers said about his mentality. “The things that God has for us, it’s what it is. Just having that and always thinking of that has gotten me through this process.”
ANDREJ STOJAKOVIĆ: TRANSFER JUNIOR WING, CALIFORNIA
Stojaković gives Illinois an experienced scoring wing that put up 17.9 points per game last season. His ability to drive and score at the rim is impressive, and he can also cash in on midrange pull-up
jumpers. Stojaković’s space to operate should only be amplifed by having multiple shooting bigs that can facilitate and fnd him when he cuts.
“I’m just very excited,” Stojaković said. “There’s a lot of space, more than I thought going into this. It just opens the foor because everyone on this team can shoot.”
KEATON WAGLER: FRESHMAN GUARD, SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST
Despite being a back-toback state champion in Kansas, Wagler was only ranked No. 143 nationally in the class of 2025. He seems poised to outplay that ranking following high praise from Underwood and his teammates.
“He’s an elite competitor,” Underwood said. “He’s very unassuming … (He) reminds me a little bit of Ayo (Dosunmu) when he was a freshman.”
Wagler can really shoot the ball; he knocked down 45% of his threes last year. He is also, according to Underwood, an extremely good decision maker in tight quarters under the rim when deciding to fnish or make the right pass.
The Illinois men’s basketball team and head coach Brad Underwood pose together for a team photo on media day, Oct. 2. The 2025-26 team features seven new players, accounting for half of the team.
SAHIL MITTAL THE DAILY ILLINI
FRESH, FAMILIAR FACES:
Illinois’ 2025-26 roster’s new depth
STAFF WRITER
BRIE DIRL
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STAFF WRITER
EVY YORK
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With a new team full of fresh faces as well as some familiar ones, Illinois goes into the 2025-26 season with exciting unknowns. Will players stay healthy? How will the versatility of the new roster and the depth of its players impact Illinois’ success this season? However, head coach Shauna Green said the unknowns of this team are what make the Illini dangerous.
“We can throw some diferent combos,” Green said. “We can go really big. We can go really long … I think that versatility would be something that is in the unknown of, ‘Okay, what is Illinois going to look like this year?’”
From commitments out of the transfer portal to returning players taking their game to the next level, the Illini have many players who stand out on this season’s roster.
AALIYAH GUYTON
From a guard standpoint, reloading was important for the Illini to continue building on last season’s success. As Genesis Bryant and Makira Cook graduated from the program in 2025, Illinois needed a new point guard to fll the holes in the roster. So, Green hit the transfer portal and picked up sophomore Aaliyah Guyton.
In her single season at the University of Iowa, Guyton earned solid minutes and shot 37.3% from three-point range. Guyton’s experience playing college-level basketball will be a huge asset to Illinois’ younger roster. However, learning to ft into a new team’s system isn’t easy, let alone learning to lead it. Green noted it will take time for Guyton to reach her full potential in the role, but her work on the court and in flm sessions has her on the right track.
MADDIE WEBBER
Green projects that junior guard Maddie Webber will be easy to slot into the Illinois system she is creating. She’s a tall guard at 5-foot-11 with a long wingspan and is an efcient three-level scorer. Webber is particularly useful around the perimeter, averaging 30.5% from the three in her sophomore season. Following the loss of Bryant, who was Illinois’ most efcient three-point shooter, adding depth here was a priority for Green.
While her efciency was a major draw, Webber’s experience was also a huge win. Webber will be one of the few
Sophomore foreward Berry
Wallace drives the ball up the court during a game against Northwestern on Feb. 6.
players in the Illinois lineup who have multiple years of experience at a collegiate level.
Most importantly to Green, these minutes have allowed the guard to develop a good motor. Webber will be joining a team that has had some players pull 40-minute games often. While the goal is for everyone to stay healthy, having players with high stamina will be key as the season goes on.
DESTINY JACKSON
One of Green’s most dynamic additions was fvestar recruit, freshman guard Destiny Jackson. Jackson was a well-rounded guard in high school, averaging 17.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals throughout her four years.
According to Green, Jackson is very coachable. She gets into the gym and watches flm nonstop to continue improving her game. “She’s blessed with so many things, but she’s still a freshman,” Green said.
Her athleticism and explosiveness are huge wins for the Illini, who are looking to be defensively disruptive this coming season. Despite still learning who she
is as a player and adapting to a new system, Green has noticed improvements from the rookie in every practice.
“When she fgures it out, she is going to be an elite defender,” Green said.
BERRY WALLACE
The injuries that devastated the Illinois roster last season threw sophomore forward Berry Wallace into a much larger playing role than the freshman expected. She had to navigate this on-court leadership role on the fly. Now, Green and Wallace are both excited to take those unexpected situations and grow the forward’s game.
“She’s in the best condition she’s ever been in in our time here,” Green said. “She’s moving well, she’s defending better, her handle is tighter. She’s confident, utilizes her strength very well and is being very efficient.”
Green was quick to compliment Wallace’s work in the offseason. She said that everything about the sophomore’s game has improved. Because of these improvements and roster changes, Green said Wallace needs to adjust to being at the top of the team’s scouting reports.
Another big change for Wallace is working alongside junior guard Gretchen Dolan as they both step into larger leadership roles. Green is more than ready to hand over the keys to the returners and allow them to own the team.
CONNOR STOLMAN THE DAILY ILLINI
Strong nonconference schedule provides Illini challenge
above the others, but each of them presents its own exciting elements.”
Excitement for Illinois’ stacked schedule of nonconference play is contagious. Featuring two SEC powerhouses, three 2025 Elite Eight teams and three neutral site arenas, the fall is gearing up to be electric for Illinois.
“We’re going to play a really tough noncon(ference) schedule,” said graduate student forward Ben Humrichous. “Being able to just compete against the best — that’s such an exciting thing. Great atmospheres, great environments. I can’t really pinpoint one that is
NOV. 11 VS. TEXAS TECH AT STATE FARM CENTER
The Illini’s frst big challenge will take place in State Farm Center against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Grant McCasland, head coach for the Red Raiders, led his team to back-to-back March Madness appearances, as well as new program records in NCAA play.
While McCasland isn’t solely responsible for the talent rolling in, he is responsible for coaching the program to success. Many of the players facing success on
McCasland’s roster are acquisitions from former head coach Mark Adams.
A key part of this roster is junior forward JT Toppin. In his frst year at Texas Tech, Toppin led the program in points, rebounds and blocks per game. Out of 13 point-scorers last season, Toppin’s 602 points made up 22.5% of the Red Raiders’ entire points.
“With Christian Anderson and JT Toppin back, two guys that I think are the best playmakers in the Big 12, you need to have guys that can score and have good feel and have character and want to win,” McCasland said to Sports Illustrated. “I think the key component to that
was just fnding guys that we felt like created space on the foor.”
McCasland needs to train other players to shoot alongside Toppin and Christian Anderson, a sophomore guard who had an impressive frst collegiate year. Forward Darrion Willions and guard Chance McMillian, who were the Red Raiders’ second and third-highest scorers last season, are no longer with the program.
Texas Tech’s loss of star players is good news for Illinois, as the Illini defense is still working to fnd their chemistry.
This matchup marks the two teams’ frst encounter and is sure to be a fery
MATT STEPP THE DAILY ILLINI
Illinois men’s basketball huddles up before a game against Maryland in State Farm Center on Jan. 23.
competition with an electric Orange Krush at State Farm Center.
NOV. 19 VS. ALABAMA AT THE UNITED CENTER
The Illini’s second nonconference challenge is against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Illini have a rough history against the Crimson Tide. Last season at the Birmingham neutral site game, Illinois sufered a 13-point loss against a lively Alabama squad. Being in Chicago might give the Illini the edge they need to beat the Crimson Tide for the frst time in nearly 72 years.
For this matchup, Illinois will face returners from a strong Alabama team. A trio of formidable Crimson Tide guards will be making their return to the court this season. Graduate student guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr., junior guard Aden Holloway and sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. made up about 30% of Alabama’s points last season.
This Alabama trio made up 50% of the points against Illinois last fall. Illinois’ Humrichous, senior guard Kylan Boswell and junior center Tomislav Ivišić have their work cut out for them. Notable absences from the court this year are both guard Kasparas Jakučionis and forward Will Riley, who each played one season at Illinois before joining the NBA.
It is safe to say that the Crimson Tide show no signs of slowing down, but the Illini will give them a run for their money with the support of fans at the United Center.
“We obviously got a very, very, very loud and boister-
ous Orange Krush section, which we don’t have on the road, even in a neutral site game,” Underwood said. “There’s a reward for playing in Chicago; maybe fans that aren’t able to drive down get to see us in the city. They’re proud alums and fans.”
NOV. 28 VS. UCONN AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
The Illini return to Madison Square Garden against a blue-blood team for the second year in a row. After a brutal loss to Duke at Madison Square Garden last year, Underwood is excited for his team to get back into the Big Apple. This nonconference matchup against the UCo-
To do that back in the Garden will be a great, great challenge for our guys.
Brad Underwood, men’s basketball head coach
nn Huskies is an excellent way for the Illini to redeem themselves.
“Dan (Hurley) is going to have a top-10 team,” Underwood said. “To do that back in the Garden will be a great, great challenge for our guys.”
The Illini’s loss in 2024 against the Huskies ended their best March Madness appearance since 2005. On the other side of the court, the Huskies won the entire tournament for the second
year in a row.
The last encounter between these two programs featured a 25-0 run in the second half. Then-sophomore center Donovan Clingan had an outstanding performance in the Elite Eight matchup. He led the Huskies in points and had the second-most rebounds. Only four players other than Clingan scored points in the double digits.
For the Illini, former guard/forward Marcus Domask shone on the court, while the rest of the roster remained quiet. Former guard Terrence Shannon Jr., former guard/forward Quincy Guerrier and former forward Coleman Hawkins all fell victim to a scoring drought with a combined 20 points.
But nearly two years later, roster changes allow a fresh start for the Illini. Illinois does need to look out for UConn’s redshirt senior forward Alex Karaban, who is one of its top scorers.
Other than redshirt junior guard/forward Ty Rodgers, no one on the Illini roster has faced Karaban and the Huskie program. But with fresh talent, including Underwood’s Eastern European recruits, Illinois is set to deliver a feast-worthy performance against UConn.
DEC. 6 VS. TENNESSEE AT BRIDGESTONE ARENA
Faced with back-to-back weekend traveling, the Illini will head to the Country Music Capital of the World after Times Square.
After two consecutive losses against the Tennessee Volunteers, the Illini are itching for a win. Two years ago, the Volunteers spent
nearly the entire game favored to win with a consistent fow despite the Illini leading going into the second half. Ultimately, Tennessee came out on top with a fnal score of 86-79.
Last year, Illinois and Tennessee had a back-andforth battle on the court. Both teams fought hard in the nail-biter match that ended with a Tennessee win 66-64. Tennessee lost three of its key guards, Jordan Gainey, Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler. Both Gainey and Lanier were essential to the Volunteers’ success in the matchup, while Zeigler was an asset for the team the entire season.
The Volunteers continue to establish a dominant program under head coach Rick Barnes, who values and instills consistency in his players.
“I would think, day in and day out, the most consistent guys have probably been Ja’Kobi (Gillespie), certainly, I would throw Felix (Okpara) in that group,” Barnes said at media day. “For a young guy, I think Nate (Ament has) done a pretty good job with that, too, because a lot has been thrown at him.”
Senior forward Felix Okpara is one of Barnes’ returners for this season. Okpara, senior transfer guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and freshman forward fve-star recruit Nate Ament make a formidable group for the Illini to keep an eye out for in Music City.
Right: Junior forward David Etingen gets slammed into the University of Illinois Ice Arena walls by two Roosevelt players afer trying to score. His brother, senior forward Greg Etingen, prepares to join the fight.
Lef: Sophomore forward Cayla Jackson winds up for a kick that would give Illinois its first and only point during the Illinois vs. Purdue game on Oct. 12. Illinois would go on to win the match 1-0.
Below: Stephen He, senior in Engineering, serves while his doubles partner, Wesley Wu, graduate student studying computer engineering, watches during a practice game on Oct. 1. They practice weekly as part of the Illini Table Tennis Club, which competes nationally every year.
From lef, freshman libero/defensive specialist Taryn Kirsch, senior outside hitter/opposite Averie Hernandez and freshman outside hitter Alyssa Aguayo await the Oregon serve as they stand in front of a rowdy Illinois student section. Ilinois would win its Sept. 26 match against Oregon 3-0.
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Sophomore defensive specialist/libero Kenzie Cogan celebrates afer Illinois scores a point during its match against Michigan State on Oct. 5. Illinois would go on to win the match 3-2.
Sophomore diver Carlie Rose performs a reverse pike at a meet on Oct. 4. The Illinois swim & dive team hosted its own Orange vs. Blue meet at the ARC to open the season.
Sophomore defensive lineman Angelo McCullom and freshman offensive lineman Grifn Rousseau warm up before the Illinois vs. Western Illinois football game in Gies Memorial Stadium on Aug. 29. Illinois went on to win the game in a 52-3 blowout.
Sophomore wide receiver Collin Dixon celebrates senior wide receiver Hank Beatty’s touchdown against Purdue on Oct. 4 in Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana.
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Huff Hall celebrates 100th anniversary
STAFF WRITER
ZACH SHAPERO shapero3@dailyillini.com
When the University laid its cornerstone in 1924, nobody could have imagined Huf Hall would become one of the most enduring symbols of Illini pride. One hundred years later, it’s still standing strong — home to scholars, athletes, fans and generations of memories.
HISTORY
First opening as Men’s New Gymnasium, the building immediately became host to the Illinois men’s basketball team. The frst event held at the gym was a 23-22 Illinois victory over Butler on Dec. 12, 1925. In 1937, the building was renamed after longtime athletic director George Huf died.
In addition to intercollegiate athletics, Huf Hall was also home to the College of Physical Education, later becoming the College of Applied Health Sciences. Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, dean of AHS, said Huf Hall was used for graduations and dances, among other purposes.
In 1963, men’s basketball departed for Assembly Hall — now State Farm Center — and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics left for the Bielfeldt Athletics Administration Building.
AHS continued to occupy most of the space at Huf Hall, becoming an academic stalwart at Illinois. This includes the University’s world-class
Being part of this place, especially in the year it’s being honored, feels like a really big opportunity and an honor.
Auburn Tomkinson, women’s volleyball player
Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism.
“Huf Hall has been the home to groundbreaking work in Recreation, Sport and Tourism,” Hanley-Maxwell said. “The work that’s been done in sports psychology and physical activity, the work that’s done in public health — it’s all been housed here.”
Huf Hall welcomed Illinois volleyball to the fray in 1990, with its frst game being a 3-0 win over Eastern Illinois on Sept. 2. In 2018, No. 3 Illinois took down No. 14 Marquette and No. 6 Wisconsin in its home quarters to make its fourth appearance in the Final Four of the NCAA Volleyball Championship tournament.
Nowadays, gymnastics and
Kyle Kostro, Walgreens store manager and lifelong CU resident reads the Huff Hall centennial display case with his two sons on Oct. 23.
wrestling join volleyball in residing at Huf Hall.
WHAT’S PLANNED?
Steve Petruzzello, professor in AHS, said the University planned numerous events to celebrate Huff Hall’s 100th anniversary. The celebration begins Nov. 6, when the University will open Huff Hall’s original time capsule, unveiling items placed inside during the building’s opening year.
The following day, several people from AHS and the DIA will speak at Huf Hall, highlighting athletic achievements and academic milestones from the past century. Huf Hall will host an open house with tours on Saturday, Nov. 8, beginning at 11 a.m.
Finally, on Sunday, Nov. 9, Illinois will play host to Penn State in the Huff Hall Centennial Celebration game at 3:30 p.m.
SIGNIFICANCE OF HUFF HALL
For some student athletes, Huf Hall is home. One example is redshirt sophomore women’s volleyball player Auburn Tomkinson, who says the team puts in a ton of work
during practices at Huf Hall on a daily basis.
“We practically live downstairs in the locker room and up here in the gym,” Tomkinson said. “Being part of this place, especially in the year it’s being honored, feels like a really big opportunity and an honor.”
The central location of the building near the Armory and Ikenberry Commons, also makes it a place for people to swing by, catch a game and have a good time. Huf Hall is packed with Illinois fans each time it competes at the venue, and the players feed of the energy from the stands.
“Our fans are always super into it,” said junior women’s volleyball player Kenna Phelan. “They’re so close to the court. It gets loud, it’s hot, and you can feel the pressure all the time.”
CHANGING A COMMUNITY
The centennial celebration of Huf Hall refects on its history and heritage, lauding it as a symbol of unity between two wings of the University: academic and athletic. This series of events will help the University and its community celebrate the 100th anniversary of a beloved campus athletic and academic venue.
“This is probably one of the only buildings on campus that actually brings together the athletic side of the house with the academic side of the house,” Hanley-Maxwell said. “It shows that the University is one whole system, not two separate systems.”
ADAM EDWARDS THE DAILY ILLINI
In with the new: Recruits bring life to Illinois volleyball
STAFF WRITER
RUDRAKSH KIKANI
rkikani2@dailyillini.com
STAFF WRITER
ZACH SHAPERO
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Roster turnover is the name of the game in college athletics. Every season, some student-athletes graduate and others transfer to diferent schools, which can force a head coach’s hand. Illinois volleyball was no exception, as six seniors graduated, and three players entered the portal following last season.
Head coach Chris Tamas had to dig deep to fnd new talent following the exodus. He came away with many players who are already making an impact for the orange and blue. Here’s how these players feel as they’ve settled into Huf Hall.
AUBURN TOMKINSON
National championship-winning redshirt sophomore opposite Auburn Tomkinson has quickly found a home for herself in Champaign-Urbana. Adjust ing to a new team was di cult, but the people around her made it easier.
people you hav en’t met before is al ways an ad
justment,” Tomkinson said. “But everyone’s been really welcoming. It’s been about getting used to new systems, new tempos and just how everything operates both on and of the court.”
Tomkinson has begun to stack kills and has boosted Illinois’ defense. She is part of the team’s blocking line that has played a major role in several matches. Tomkinson also ranks among the team leaders in both kills and blocks.
KENNA PHELAN
Junior setter Kenna Phelan felt acclimated to Huf Hall from the jump. Arriving in the spring semester helped with adjusting to her new team after two seasons at Florida State.
“We’ve had a lot of new components coming in,” Phelan said. “But this team’s culture is incredibly welcoming. We really celebrate each other, and that makes it easy to feel comfortable.”
That welcoming culture has transformed into a winning culture. Phelan has been a major helping hand so far this season, recording a career-high 57 assists against
Phelan continues to look ahead, tying the success on the foor to the team’s similar personalities and values.
TARYN KIRSCH
Freshman libero Taryn Kirsch arrived in Champaign in January, which helped her settle with the team faster than the rest of the freshman class. Fast forward to midseason, and Kirsch leads the team in digs. Diving around the court, she has already saved Illinois countless points.
“I feel like I’ve been able to fnd consistency,” Kirsch said. “I’ve learned how to manage school and volleyball while still trying to be a human at the same time. Overall, I’ve seen improvement in all aspects of my life through that consistency.”
ALYSSA AGUAYO
The defnition of making an early impact is summarized in two words: Alyssa Aguayo. The freshman outside hitter is playing like she’s a senior with heaps of experience facing the hyper-competitive Big Ten.
Aguayo is averaging just over 10 kills per match, achieving a career high against
Michigan State, with 18. She is a headliner in the Illini rotation, and at such a young age, she sees it as a strength, allowing the team to grow together.
“We’re still fguring things out and working hard in practice,” Aguayo said. “But overall, it’s really positive that we’re such a young group.”
SOPHI RANDALL
Freshman setter Sophi Randall has gradually seen increased playing time. She described the beginning of the summer as “a little intimidating,” but the community being so strong and tight-knit helped ease her transition into a new setup.
“Everyone feels like they have a voice here,” Randall said. “You can speak up regardless of how long you’ve been here, your age or your position. None of that matters.”
ALL TOGETHER NOW
As new players adapted to the Illinois system, the team found a sense of chemistry through the nonconference slate. Now, in Big Ten play, the Illini have found their stride and started conference play
UI students find loyalty beyond orange and blue
STAFF WRITER
ETHAN MESICH-FIEMS emesi2@dailyillini.com
STAFF WRITER
OLIVIA DVORAK odvor2@dailyillini.com
At the University, Illini pride runs deep. Game days turn the campus orange, and students pack the stands with relentless energy. The loyalty — whether it’s passed down through generations or only just begun — is unmistakably Illini.
But not everyone in the crowd is cheering for the University.
Some students wear their orange in public and their true team colors in private. Others don’t bother hiding it at all. Sometimes, when their loyalties lie with other Big Ten rivals, being a fan of another university can make school pride complicated.
For Brayden McMillan, junior in ACES, those moments of confict have become typical. He grew up in Indianapolis before moving to Illinois in second grade.
McMillan’s dad went to Indiana University and raised him to love its basketball team, while his grandfather’s time at the University of Notre Dame made its football team a staple in his family growing up.
His love for those teams has served as a way to bond with his family. Even now, McMillan will text his family about these games while he’s
in Champaign.
“Back when I lived at home instead of being at college, (my dad, brother and I) would always watch the games together,” McMillan said.
However, even after years of living in Illinois and attending the University, his loyalties have not wavered.
“I’ve spent 18 years of my life rooting for these teams, and I didn’t grow up in Illinois, really,” McMillan said. “So it wasn’t that big of a deal for me. Even when we moved here, I always rooted for the same teams, even when it was disliked by people who liked
and unapologetic about it — even when surrounded by Illini orange.
“One hundred percent, I’m very public about it,” Maurello said. “I don’t really care.”
Maurello grew up in a family of Michigan fans but originally started rooting for Ohio State as a kid because she liked its colors. Over time, her casual interest turned into full-blown fandom, drawn in by the team’s success and tradition.
Maurello applied to Ohio State when she made the decision to transfer ahead
Illinois.”
For the most part, McMillan tends to keep his loyalties for these teams to himself, only sharing them with the people he’s close with. He said that if Indiana and Illinois were to face of in basketball, he’d attend the game but secretly root for Indiana.
While McMillan keeps his support for other schools mostly private, Rosa Maurello, senior in LAS, does the exact opposite. As a lifelong fan of Ohio State, she’s loud
loyalty lies — and they like to remind her.
“They give me s---,” Maurello said. “I’m like, ‘You can give me s---, but we’re still better.’”
Like McMillan, the fandom also carries a personal connection to Maurello’s childhood but in a diferent way. Watching Ohio State games bring back fond memories of her family’s playful rivalry.
When she would watch games with her brother, they often rooted against one another — especially if Ohio State was going head-tohead with Michigan.
Maurello, senior in LAS, shows off her merchandise for The Ohio State University in front of Gies Memorial Stadium.
of her junior year, but she decided to attend the University instead because it made more sense fnancially and academically. Maurello said she still watches most Ohio State football games and even follows its other sports and activities, like the school’s dance team.
When she attends the University’s athletic events, she goes for the fun energy that comes with being in the crowd full of dedicated Illini fans. Her friends on campus know exactly where her
Despite her Buckeye pride, the Illini have grown on her over the years. As long as the teams aren’t facing each other, Maurello is happy to cheer for her school.
“I feel like after I graduate, I’ll still be Ohio (State) number one, but Illinois will defnitely be number two,” Maurello said. “I still love the school; it’s just (that) I’m not their number-one sports fan.”
That love for the University is apparent through Maurello’s actions. She still supports her future alma mater whenever the opportunity arises, maintaining a sense of loyalty to the University even with her favorite team looming in the shadows.
For both McMillan and Maurello, rooting for other schools doesn’t mean that the Illini are irrelevant. Their primary fandom may lie elsewhere, but the memories they’ve made ensure that the University will always have a place in their hearts.
Rosa
ISAAC PINKUS THE DAILY ILLINI
Katie Hultin breathes life into Illinois soccer
STAFF WRITER
BRIE DIRL
bdirl2@dailyillini.com
The 2025 season could have been a quiet rebuild for the Illinois women’s soccer team following former head coach Janet Rayfeld’s retirement.
Instead, now-head coach Katie Hultin arrived, fresh of three straight postseason appearances as head coach of Grand Valley State University. She aims to bring that same success to Illinois and is in a good position to do so.
At every stop in her career, Hultin came in and produced immediate results. She’s no
stranger to overhauling a program, especially on the defensive end. Across both her playing and coaching careers, Hultin has made a positive impact wherever she goes.
From her frst day leading Illinois, Hultin focused on building up a relationship with the returning players and setting a new standard for Illinois soccer.
“Katie has come here and been authentically herself,” said sixth-year midfelder Sydney Stephens. “Something that has kept us very successful has been her building that bridge of consistent feedback both ways. The team feels they can tell
Katie anything, and she has kept her door open.”
This connection has translated to the feld, where the Illini have been anything but quiet this season. They secured a huge win over Penn State and are on track to have one of the program’s best records yet.
The Illini entered the ofseason facing a signifcant roster turnover along with the new coaching staf. Yet, Hultin quickly won over both the staf and players through her honesty, authenticity and unwavering belief in their potential.
The staff shares a similar appreciation of Hultin’s
genuine personality. Assistant coach Aulani Whisler transferred from GVSU to Illinois because she wanted to continue under Hultin’s mentorship.
“For someone who values authentic leadership, it was such an easy moment when she asked, ‘Will you come with me to Illinois?’” Whisler said. “And I didn’t even hesitate to say ‘Absolutely, I will be there.’”
Serving as GVSU’s defensive coach and now here at Illinois, Whisler has worked hard with Hultin to build systems driven by elite defenses and goalkeepers.
During her frst stint at
Women’s soccer head coach Katie Hultin yells to her team from the sideline during the Illinois vs. Rutgers game on Oct. 9.
Illinois as a goalkeeping coach under Rayfeld, Hultin helped double the team’s shutouts and cut its goals allowed in half. Then, at GVSU, she led the Lakers to a GLIAC regular-season and tournament championship win in her debut season.
senior goalkeeper Cailynn Junk. “How you go out on the practice feld is going to translate into a game. Practices are a bit uncomfortable at times, but it makes the games easier to perform in.”
Hultin’s passion is felt and embraced by the team, and they respond in kind.
“We are a representation of Katie times two,” Stephens said. “We take that with pride and want to do the best for her.”
ing style today.
“A lot of goalkeepers become coaches because we spend most of our career watching the game from an interesting angle,” Hultin said. “As a goalkeeper, you have a protective mentality, and being a head coach also takes a protective mentality: protecting a culture, protecting a program and representing something bigger than yourself.”
This success begins at practice. Hultin’s intensity sets the tone for the player-led culture she wants to create.
“We hold our practices to a very high standard,” said
Now, back at Illinois, Hultin’s squad holds the program’s best undefeated streak — nine games.
Past experiences deepen her connection to players. Hultin’s coaching success at both GVSU and Illinois stems in large part from her time as a collegiate and professional goalkeeper.
At the heart of Hultin’s coaching is her ability to draw from her background. She credits goalkeeping for giving her the feld vision and leadership qualities on which she bases her coach-
What Hultin aims to protect is a high-quality, championship-caliber program. But while results are important, she likes to start on the human level.
Even with the season still ongoing, Hultin’s impact is already undeniable. She has quickly won over the players, coaching staf and fans, not only because of the games’ results but also because of what she invests into the program.
SARAH SLATTERY THE DAILY ILLINI
Finding a way back home: Tara Hurless’ unique CU connection
STAFF WRITER
EVY YORK
evyyork2@dailyillini.com
MANAGING EDITOR
MAAIKE NIEKERK
maaiken2@dailyillini.com
From the moment Tara Hurless stepped on campus for her 2001 freshman soccer season at the University, she felt a sense of comfort. This encouraged her to make genuine connections with a diverse range of people at the University and in the surrounding community.
These connections ultimately led Hurless back to Champaign-Urbana after retiring from playing professional soccer in Sweden.
“I came back to the University because of the people that put so much into me those fve years,” Hurless said. “I feel like I owe it to the University to put that back in.”
The problem Hurless faced after leaving athletics was deciding what career path to take. During her time as a student-athlete,
Hurless felt she didn’t have a plan for what she would pursue if her soccer career abruptly ended.
“There’s so much out there to study and learn,” Hurless said. “You just have to be in a spot where you allow yourself to be vulnerable and put yourself in uncomfortable situations to help you grow.”
Although the University didn’t have a criminology program during Hurless’ four years, her interest in the subject stuck enough for her to explore a career in it. However, Hurless hit a bump in the road when she didn’t pass her test for the Champaign Police Department on rst go-around.
Luckily for Hurless, this didn’t entirely prevent her from working in policing for long. The chief of police introduced Hurless to an intern program that only required a physical assessment — easily accomplished given her
soccer background.
Hurless was hired as an ofcer in January 2013. Since then, leading a career in C-U has allowed her to give back to a community that she said gave her so much as a student.
“I feel like I have frst row tickets to the best show in the world,” Hurless said. “I feel like I’m making a diference within our campus community and adjacent community. I’ve been here since 2001, and I used those networking tools I was taught through sports.”
Throughout her years of working for UIPD, Hurless found that there are connections between policing and the lessons she learned during her soccer tenure.
“I may have only been a part of a team of 22 girls, but we all had a common goal,” Hurless said. “Whether that’s to win that specifc game, work hard at practice, win a Big Ten championship, make the NCAA tournament — as a team, you’re growing
University soccer alum and current UIPD ofcer Tara Hurless stands on shif during a Homecoming football game at Gies Memorial Stadium in 2023. Hurless played soccer at the University.
every single day. I think that’s what you’re doing in policing as well, because we have the same kind of goal. It’s just getting home safe (and) making sure our community is safe and secure.”
Michelle Schroeder, a lieutenant at UIPD and former sergeant above Hurless, described her “good aura” and highly motivated attitude on patrol. Schroeder said she wasn’t initially aware of Hurless’ athletic history, as Hurless never overplayed her achievements as a soccer player.
“A lot of times people like to ride out on their past accomplishments,” Schroeder said. “But with her, there’s a continual drive to continue to do great things, continue to challenge herself and grow.”
One of these challenges Schroeder said Hurless has taken head-on has been switching back to patrol after working with her therapy K-9, Huf. Hurless and Huf worked together for years
PHOTO COURTESY OF UIPD
doing public events and presentations and were dispatched to a variety of calls.
“It’s a passion; I can’t even put into words how much that helped me grow within my career,” Hurless said. “Because I was not only helping our campus community and adjacent communities but folks all over the world.”
According to Hurless, she and Huf were seeing “anywhere from 100 to 150,000 people a year,” helping to implement the therapy K-9s in the area and even traveling internationally until Huf ’s retirement.
Hurless has since been reassigned to patrol, and Schroeder said her skills from working with Huf, combined with her athletic history, have given her strengths she might not even know yet.
“I really feel like that
You just have to be in a spot where you allow yourself to be vulnerable and put yourself in uncomfortable situations to help you grow.
Tara Hurless, University soccer alum and current UIPD ofcer
helped her level up even more,” Schroeder said about Hurless’ time working with Huf. “I don’t even think she realized it.”
Hurless and Huf ’s partnership impacted more than just Hurless herself.
According to UIPD Behavioral Health Detective Michelle Kaeding, the use of therapy K-9s has been well-received in C-U. Kaeding said the K-9s have a subconscious
beneft of perking people up and making them happier. When she worked as an investigator, K-9s were useful during survivor case interviews.
“I felt like in the few instances when I used (therapy K-9s) as an investigative detective, it was a good tool to use to help (interviewees) feel more comfortable and bring some walls down,” Kaeding said.
From helping out in crisis situations to being a stress reliever for University students during fnals season, therapy K-9s can make a positive diference in all areas and for all demographics.
Huf and Hurless still volunteer in the area — sometimes on Hurless’ days of each week — visiting a variety of locations, including assisted living areas, frehouses and nursing homes. Even post-retirement, Huf is still helping Hurless and others broaden their connections to the community.
“He’s not going to fx what’s going on, right?” Hurless said. “But it’s allowing you to feel something … You go into a room and you’re making a connection with all these folks, and it becomes a positive interaction. Even if I’m there for a very sad situation … whatever that looks like, he’s very good at what he does.”
Blood is thicker than ice: 3 sets of brothers make impact on Illini hockey
SPORTS EDITOR
BRENDAN GALLIAN bdg4@dailyillini.com
After Illinois hockey scored to even a game against Roosevelt in early October, senior forward Greg Etingen was quick to join his teammates in celebration.
They were crowded around Greg’s brother, junior forwardDavid Etingen, who scored the goal after a series of tic-tac-toe passes that Greg started. On top of being teammates, the brothers are also linemates.
“Being able to play hockey on a line with my brother is super cool in general,” Greg said. “We’ve dreamed of this moment since we were kids playing mini sticks in our basement, so to fnally be able to actually live it out is pretty much a dream come true.”
While skating past the bench, the Etingens fstbumped their teammates. Among them were twin sophomore defensemen Zack Rupich and Nick Rupich.
A little further behind the celebration, head coach John Opilka watched alongside his brother, assistant coach Tyler Opilka.
Tyler is a program alum, playing for the team for fve seasons between 2015-16 and 201920. John, who never played for Illinois at the dimensionally unique University of Illinois Ice Arena, appreciates having Tyler around, not only as a brother but also as a mentor.
“It’s amazing,” John said of being able to coach with his brother. “Tyler played here for fve years. I’m newer to the
program, but him being able to help me out — it’s a blast. I love being able to talk with him, work with him, spend some time together.”
The Opilka brothers lead an Illinois team that jumped out of the gate to a 4-0-0 start this year. A big part of that early winning streak was the strong play of the Etingen brothers, who are each among the team leaders in points early this season.
The Etingens also guide the Illini of the ice, with Greg serving as team president and David as treasurer.
In a way, the team consists entirely of brothers. They travel together, play together, win together and lose together. Greg said that while the team shares a strong familial bond, playing with David is on a diferent level.
“Our entire team is so close, and we have great chemistry,” Greg said. “However, when you play with your brother, it just seems
like there is someone that can read your mind and knows what you are going to do with the puck before you even think of doing it.”
John agreed that the Etingen brothers work well together. He put Greg and David on the same line and often plays them together during power plays.
He said that not only do they have a special connection but that their play styles complement each other. David plays more physically, while Greg relies on speed.
“I think they do a really good job reading of of each other,” John said. “They’re both diferent kinds of players. When you’re putting a line together, it’s nice to have two players that have a little bit of a diferent playing style.”
On defense, Zack and Nick are just beginning their time at Illinois. As twins, they’ve played together at nearly every step of their hockey journey.
The Rupich brothers had grown up playing ofense but have made the transition to defense in recent years. Tyler, who coaches Illinois’ defense, has been guiding the brothers into their new roles.
John said that even though the Rupich brothers are both right-handed shooters, they’ll share the ice together at some point. They have lined up together before, but their brotherly banter has sometimes interfered with their play.
“The bickering is defnitely there,” Nick said. “Sometimes (the pairing) works out. Maybe giving it one more try might not be a terrible idea.”
In spite of their squabbles, Zack is grateful that he’s been able to spend his career beside his brother, whom he also calls his best friend.
“It means a lot, but it’s also kind of at this point the expectation, just because we played with each other forever,” Zack said. “I couldn’t see it any other way.”
Hockey brother duo senior forward Greg Etingen and junior forward David Etingen skate over to the faceoff in the first quarter of the Illinois vs. Roosevelt game on Oct. 3. Illinois lost to Roosevelt 3-2 at the University of Illinois Ice Arena in overtime.
SARAH SLATTERY THE DAILY ILLINI
National champion Lucas Byrd sets sights on Hodge Trophy
RUDRAKSH KIKANI
kikani2@dailyillini.com
Illinois wrestler Lucas Byrd has returned for his fnal year of college eligibility after a record-breaking 2025 season. The 133-pound graduate student won both the 2025 Big Ten and national championships.
In doing so, Byrd became Illinois’ frst-ever national champion at 133 pounds and the program’s 21st champion overall.
The Cincinnati native battled a wrist injury that forced him to redshirt the 2023-24 season. Byrd’s return from injury didn’t just bring a powerhouse back to the lineup but also solidifed him as a leader. Head coach Mike Poeta said the example Byrd sets for the team lifts Illinois wrestling as a whole.
“His impact goes far beyond results,” Poeta said. “He puts his arm around the guys, helps them out and genuinely tries to make everyone around him better. As a teammate and as a person, he’s unbelievable. He’s really stepped up in the leadership aspect of the team.”
According to his teammates, Byrd’s intensity while training every day pushes them to be better. His presence in Huf Hall helps elevate the people around him.
One-hundred-and-fifty-seven-pound redshirt sophomore Kannon Webster said the most important thing he has learned from Byrd is toughness.
One-hundred-and-thirty-three-pound graduate student
Byrd acknowledges the crowd afer his final regular-season win at Illinois’dual meet against No. 1 Penn State on Feb. 16. Illinois lost the meet 29-9.
“He’s a hard-nosed, gritty guy,” Webster said. “He does a great job of sharing that with the rest of us. He makes sure the next generation of wrestlers coming in keeps that same toughness and helps keep this program where it’s at.”
Now in his sixth season at Illinois, Byrd has the Dan Hodge Trophy as his fnal target, alongside another national championship.
Poeta described the trophy as “college wrestling’s Heisman” and said Byrd wants to separate himself from the rest even more.
“Being the Hodge Trophy winner means you’ve gone undefeated,” Byrd said. “It means you’ve won nationals, and you’ve proven you’re the best college wrestler in the country. It’s the ultimate recognition —
showing total dominance across the season.”
An Illini wrestler is yet to win the trophy, and Byrd is committed to becoming the frst to bring it to Champaign-Urbana.
But his return wasn’t fueled by personal accomplishments alone. Byrd thinks the team has all the elements to make a special run this season.
“We can absolutely be in trophy contention,” Byrd said. “We reloaded the lineup with guys who were already in position to place last year. Now that everyone’s older and more experienced, it felt like the right time to come back and make a special team run. If things click, we’re a top-three team.”
Byrd’s return has also helped Illinois draw in some top wrestlers. One-hundred-
and-twenty-five-pound graduate student Spencer Moore transferred to Illinois to train alongside the reigning 133-pound champion.
“Lucas draws great wrestlers to Illinois,” Poeta said. “(Moore and Byrd) working out back-to-back in the room is going to make both of them better, and it’s great for our program’s future.”
With only one year left in Champaign, the 2025 Dike Eddleman Athlete of the Year wants to create a lasting legacy at Illinois and help the current group of wrestlers take the program forward.
“I’ve been fortunate to set a bar, and I want the next guys to aim higher,” Byrd said. “When they wrestle or train with me, I want them to feel like they’re competing with one of the best — because that builds confdence across the whole room.”
Byrd wants to continue wrestling after college. His next goals are competing in MMA and fghting in the UFC. He wants to become a full-time fghter while contributing to the collegiate level as a coach.
All eyes will be on Byrd as he starts the final year of his collegiate journey. He has already carved out a name for himself at Illinois and is one of the top wrestlers to ever compete in C-U. As his name hangs in the rafters of Huff Hall, Byrd wants to go one step further and achieve the pinnacle of college wrestling: The Dan Hodge Trophy is next.
SAM RINK THE DAILY ILLINI
Lucas
Kenta Miyoshi reflects on success, works toward future
STAFF WRITER
GABE ALPHER galpher2@dailyillini.com
Senior men’s tennis player Kenta Miyoshi is fresh of a season of triumph, in which he earned All-American honors, was named Big Ten Player of the Year and made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA singles championships. He entered this season highly regarded as the ITA preseason No. 6 player in singles.
While Miyoshi takes pride in his prior successes, he also acknowledges they add pressure coming into this season. Regardless, Miyoshi said he has high expectations for himself and is looking forward to reaching his goals.
“I need to fnd the balance of, ‘Alright, this is the right goal,’ and staying in the present moment,” Miyoshi said.
Miyoshi recently qualifed for the NCAA singles championships for the second consecutive year. To earn this qualifcation, he defeated multiple ranked opponents at the ITA Men’s All-American Championships in late September.
Last year, Miyoshi qualifed for the NCAA singles championships through a
regional tournament. Qualifying through the ITA championships should help Miyoshi get a higher seed.
Because of this improvement, his preparation for the NCAA singles championships has been diferent from that of last spring.
Miyoshi has been playing in challenger events all across the country this fall; in challengers, he competes against professional players, rather than student-athletes.
According to head coach Brad Dancer, despite the NCAA singles championships being just over a month away, they are not the main focus for Miyoshi or the team.
Dancer wants Miyoshi to think in the present and take the season one day at a time, focusing on the current tournaments instead of thinking solely on the championship.
Dancer says that their goal is to work toward the next event and “not concern ourselves so much with NCAAs but (take) the next step from where we are right now.”
CHALLENGER STRUGGLES
While Miyoshi knows the jump to professional-level tournaments is tricky, he is not seeing nearly as much success as he would like. Miyoshi was eliminated early from his last two professional events and failed to place.
“It’s definitely a challenging time for me, especially looking at my results,” Miyoshi said.
Miyoshi lost in straight sets to Strong Kirchheimer at the Lincoln Challenger on Oct. 12. He also lost to Quinn Vandecasteele at the Fairfeld Challenger just the week before.
“It’s defnitely not where I want to be, but I also feel like I need to keep playing those events and overcome those challenges,” Miyoshi said. “I need to keep my head in the
right direction and face … these challenges.”
According to Dancer, Miyoshi will likely compete in two more challengers, either the Charlottesville Challenger, Sioux Falls Challenger or Knoxville Challenger in late October and early November.
Dancer says the specifcs are currently unknown, and they will have internal talks about which tournaments will be best for Miyoshi. This will give him the opportunity to bounce back on the professional stage and further prepare for the NCAA singles champaionships in late November.
FUTURE GOALS
Miyoshi is well into his senior campaign for the Illini, which means that this spring will be his last time competing in the orange and blue.
Dancer has helped Miyoshi become the player he is today and will continue to do so into Miyoshi’s professional career.
“I’ve been talking to him,” Dancer said. “He’s got big, lofty goals, and that’s really important.”
Miyoshi will have some tough competition this season as he competes at both the collegiate and professional levels. He hopes his successes this season will set himself up nicely to fulfll his goals and be a fulltime pro come the summer.
Swim & dive strives for individual, team greatness
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
ANNISYN KREBS-CARR annisyn2@dailyillini.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
BLAKE NOBLE benoble2@dailyillini.com
Swim & dive isn’t a traditional team sport. In most events, athletes compete individually and are scored separately. But according to competitors on the Illinois swim & dive team, it doesn’t matter if they are in the water by themselves — every single person on the team contributes to its success.
After placing 13th at the 2025 Big Ten Conference championships, the swim & dive program is prepared to return to the circuit. Its frst home meet was the House of Paign Invite on Friday and Saturday, held at the ARC.
Alexis Wendel, senior butterfy and backstroke swimmer, is excited to see the group’s camaraderie and focus on the transition into a new season.
“I think we grew a lot as a team, both with the depth we had and then also the team culture,” Wendel said. “We all really rallied together, and I’m really excited to see that translate into results.”
According to Wendel, the team had a meeting at the beginning of the season to focus on its three major goals: protecting the house (winning every home meet), getting people to the NCAA championships and moving up in the ranks.
Individually, team mem-
bers like junior diver Bethany Mercer, expressed a desire to expand upon the foundations built in previous seasons. Mercer said she’s reached NCAA Diving Zones, the diving qualifying meet, for the past few years but ends up feeling burnt out by that point in the season.
“I would really like to push myself and try to make it to NCAA (championships) this year,” Mercer said. “I’d like to
According to the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America’s GPA rankings from the spring semester, the Illinois swim & dive team placed frst in the Big Ten conference and tied with Drexel, Bowling Green, Liberty and Northern Arizona for 18th in the nation.
In order to maintain both academic and athletic success, these athletes stressed the importance of time man-
just keep the same mindset that I have in the beginning of the year at the end of the year.”
Last season, the swim & dive team won four of its fve home meets and set 17 school records, 133 personal best times and 72 top-10 times.
“Aside from athletics, we’re also very dedicated to academics and community outreach,” Mercer said. “We’re dedicated … not just to swimming and diving, just to our lives all around.”
agement with their rigorous schedules.
While this looks slightly diferent for swimmers and divers, both have 20-hour practice weeks and regularly compete. For divers, part of their weekly schedule includes a trip to Purdue’s practice platform.
The reward of this shared efort goes beyond individual scores, instead showing through the team’s performance as a whole.
“You’re never swimming for yourself … you’re swimming for the whole team,” said Sara Jass, senior individual medley/freestyle swimmer. “It’s always a team sport, even if it’s just me in the water.”
For Wendel, one of the most rewarding aspects of last season was her fellow team members’ support and motivation. Every athlete knows each other’s objectives and holds them accountable for reaching their goals.
“Even if someone is swimming an individual race, they really have the whole team swimming behind them,” Wendel said. “They’re not actually there, but really, the encouragement and dedication is pushing them forward.”
Despite the physical and mental demands of being a college athlete, swim & dive members consider simply being on the team an honor.
For Jass, Mercer and Wendel, not only did Illinois swim & dive introduce them to the competitiveness of the Big Ten, but it also introduced them to their coaches and teammates, who have since become family.
As she looks toward this year’s upcoming season, Wendel hopes to achieve both her individual and team goals while also enjoying her last year in the program.
“Happy swimmers are fast swimmers,” Wendel said. “Just appreciating every last moment and taking in the whole experience is really my goal for this season.”
Illinois swimmers prepare to dive into the water at the Orange vs. Blue intrasquad meet, hosted at the ARC, on Oct. 4.
SARAH SLATTERY THE DAILY ILLINI
