Four Talented Swimmers and a Diver Join the Illinois State Redbirds
Team Welcomes New Recruits for 2025 Season
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The Illinois State swimming and diving program has bolstered its roster with the addition of four talented student-athletes for the 2025 season. The class boasts strength in various disciplines, promising to impact the Redbirds lineup.
“We are thrilled to welcome such a talented group to our Redbird family,” said Head Coach Riley Hilbrandt.
Elena Posipishil (Omaha, NE.) – Breaststroke
Posipishil, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, brings a wealth of experience to the Redbirds. She swam for Omaha Aquatics and represented her high schools, Burke High School and Westside High School. Her impressive credentials include qualifying for major events like the Speedo Sectionals in Columbia, the Metro Conference Championship, and the NSAA Championships. Posipishil recently achieved a personalized top time at the IA IFLY A3 Midwest Challenge, placing fifth in the 50-yard breaststroke with a time of 31.18.
Coach Hilbrandt expressed excitement for Posipishil joining the program: “Elena will be coming in and will have an immediate impact to our team,” stated Hilbrandt. “She will be a wonderful addition to the breaststroke group. Her energy and excitement during the recruiting process confirmed that she is exactly what I’m looking to add to this team. Since recruiting Elena, she hasn’t stopped progressing in her breaststroke events, and I cannot wait to start coaching her.”
Megan Sego (Batavia, Ill.) – Backstroke/IM
Joining the Redbirds from Batavia, Illinois, Sego exemplifies local talent.
With experience on the West Chicago Community High School swim team alongside her involvement with the West Chicago Sharks and Academy Bullets Swim Club, Sego knows how to compete. She’s a two-time finalist at the IHSAA Girls Sectional in St. Charles and has already achieved notable achievement with placements at the IHSAA Girls Sectional in St. Charles .
“Megan is a native of Illinois, and her mom was also a member of the Redbird Swim & Dive family which was really fun to be a part of her recruiting journey,”astian ‘During the recruiting process, it was clear to me was exactly what was missing” shared inclineLink here
“I’m excited to see Megan continue to grow over the next four NX.
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Ines Kieffel (New Caledonia, FRA) – Freestyle
Hailing from New Caledonia, France, Kieffel adds international experience to the Redbirds. She recorded five personal bests at the New Zealand SC Championships – in the 50 free (26.61 for fifth place), 50 free extracted (27.62), 100 free (58.42 for sixth place), 50 breast (36.49 for 16th place), and 200 yard breast (2:52.39, eighth place).
Hilbrandt shared her excitement for Kieffel’s arrival:
“Ines is coming in offseason, boosting our team. Ines comes in with a lot of experience, displaying her passion for racing.
“Ines will be a huge impact to our roster right away and I can’t wait to work with them.
Bayley Fowler (Chesterton, Ind.) – Diving
Fowler joins from Chesterton, Indiana, where she was a standout on the Chesterton High School Diving team. She exhibits demonstrable proficiency at prestigious meets with personal-best scores at both the IHSAA Girls Sectional hosted at Valparaiso University (408.00) and at the Chesterton vs. Crown Point Dual for
What are the names of the four recruits joining the Illinois State Redbirds Swimming and Diving Team for the 2025 season?
## Illinois State Redbirds Dive into a Strong Recruiting Class
**Today we’re joined by Head Coach Riley Hilbrandt of the Illinois State Redbirds Swimming and Diving Team. Welcome, Coach!**
**Thank you for having me! I’m excited to talk about our newest recruits.**
**You’ve secured four new athletes for the 2025 season. Things are looking bright for the Redbirds! Can you tell us a little about this incoming class?**
Absolutely! We’re thrilled to welcome four talented student-athletes to the Redbird family. This group brings strength across multiple disciplines and will be making an immediate impact on our lineup.
** Let’s start with Elena Posipishil, who’s joining you from Omaha, Nebraska. She’s a breaststroke specialist, right?**
That’s right. Elena has a ton of experience, swimming for Omaha Aquatics and representing both Burke High School and Westside High School. She’s achieved impressive results at major events like the Speedo Sectionals and NSAA Championships. Elena recently clocked an impressive 31.18 in the 50-yard breaststroke at the IA IFLY A3 Midwest Challenge, finishing 5th.
** It sounds like she’s a real asset to the team. Any other standouts in this recruiting class?**
Yes! Megan Sego, from Batavia, Illinois, will be a great addition to our backstroke and IM group. She brings a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn that I believe will translate into success at the collegiate level.
** Fantastic! Any news on the other recruits?**
We’re very excited about the whole class. We’ll be releasing more details about the remaining recruits soon.
** Well, Coach, it sounds like the Redbirds are set for a fantastic 2025 season. Thanks for giving us insight on your newest team members.**
** My pleasure! Go Redbirds!**