The Illinois swimming and diving team started their season with a splash, topping Toledo and Illinois State at home on Friday.

The Illini defeated the Redbirds 166.50-124.50 and outscored the Rockets 168.50-122.50.

"Everybody from top to bottom swam very well," Illinois assistant coach Steve Farnau said. "There was a lot of energy and a lot of first-time jitters for the newcomers, the freshmen and the transfers, but I think it was a great day."

The night started with a one-two finish for the Illini in the 200-yard medley, led by the team of freshman Meghan Farrell, senior Ilkay Dikmen, sophomore Christina Brunka and freshman Barbie Viney, who tapped the wall in a time of 148.15. The second place team of sophomore Lauren Nosal, senior Crystal McAdam, junior Trisha Lakatos and sophomore Kirsten Koepcke wasn't far behind, finishing with a time of 150.44

"(The first event) just got the ball rolling," Lakatos said. "Everyone got really excited and carried it over the whole meet."

For Farrell, a freshman, the win started the season with a positive spin.

"It was my first official meet here, and I think it was a great start," Farrell said. "In the last couple of weeks I've seen so much improvement compared to what I was doing before."

Another Illini who has made dramatic improvements throughout the offseason is Dikmen. The Turkish native spent her summer as a member of the Turkish National Team, competing at the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, in late July.

Dikmen smashed her old pool record in the 100 breaststroke, clocking in at 1 minute, 3.44 seconds. Her old record stood at 1:04.18.

Illinois diving coach Billy McGowan helped his divers to an impressive start in his first year with the Illini.

Illinois senior Lisa Fish grabbed first place on the 3-meter board with a score of 237.90 and third place on the 1-meter board.

"I'm starting off stronger than I ever have," Fish said. "I cannot wait (for the rest of the season). I never imagined doing this kind of stuff at the beginning of the season, ever."

Fish has already acquired an arsenal of new skills to use throughout the upcoming year.

"I was afraid walking into this year, but I'm getting used to it and how everything works," Fish said. "(McGowan) is already seeing things (in my diving) that I haven't seen or heard before."

Despite the excitement over their win, the Illini were back in action for an early Saturday morning practice before departing for the Northwestern Relays on Sunday.

"At this time of the year, we're training, and they've got to swim fast when they're tired and learn to step up," Farnau said.

The Illini certainly stepped up on Sunday at the Northwestern Relays. Illinois finished second with 182 points. Northwestern led all teams with 208 points. The team finished second at the Northwestern Relays two years ago as well.

"This year is just all positive," Lakatos said. "We've just come together as one."