by Stephanie Peterson
Daily Illini sports reporter

The Illinois swimming and diving teams proved they knew what tough really means when they gained victories against Oakland University of Michigan and Michigan State University this past weekend.

The Illini defeated Oakland University Friday afternoon 136-102. The Illini proved they could dominate the field of swimming by sweeping all but one event.

Showing how to take charge was sophomore Anna Christiansen with double wins in the 200-yard free and 400 individual medley. Also helping the Illini were freshman phenomenons Jen Peters and Kathy Kielty, showing they are ready for collegiate competition.

Peters won the mile event followed by a victory in the 100-meter fly by junior Natasha Messmer and a win in the 50 free by junior Emily Wang.

Junior Betsy Nagel helped the Illini with a win in the 100 free and sophomore Darcy Adler captured a win in the 100-meter breaststroke. Senior Nicola Homenock, who has been leading the Illini all season, won the 500 free, giving the Illini yet another victory.

"They all did a great job. I’m real proud of the way they swam this weekend," said head coach Jim Lutz.

The girls traveled from school to school with little time for rest in between.

The Illini showed they could stay strong both physically and mentally when they went on to beat Michigan State University Saturday morning. The Illini stomped MSU with a score of 186 to 114.

Homenock once again lead the way for the Illini by sweeping the butterfly events, winning both the 100 and 200 yard events. Wang also stormed past MSU with wins in both the 200 and 100 free events. Peters proved her dominance in the distance events with wins in the 500 and 1,000 freestyle events.

All together the Illini won 11 of 16 events, including 11 of the 14 swimming events. Kielty won the 100-meter backstroke and Christiansen captured the 200 IM. Two relays also took firsts. The 200 medley relay of Traci Bollinger, Adler, Molly Busch and Wang helped the Illini out and the relay team of Wang, Bollinger, Homenock and Marcie Black took the 400 free relay.

The women are looking pretty good early in the season at a time that they are tired. They are feeling good about their racing and see a great season ahead of them, according to some of the team members.

The Illini will take this weekend off and come back to swim double dual meets against the University of Iowa at IMPE on Dec. 4-5. The women’s team is now 6-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten.