Feb. 21, 2006

Cleveland, Ohio- Following a regular season full of outstanding times, notable performances and exciting dual meet victories, the UIC men's and women's swimming and diving teams embark on the event they have prepared for the entire campaign as the Horizon League Swimming & Diving Championships begin this Wednesday at Cleveland State's Busbey Natatorium.

MEN'S PREVIEW

After finishing third for the first time since 1994 at last year's league meet, the UIC men's swimming and diving team seeks a finish never before seen in school history: a Top Two conference standing.

The Flames have the firepower to pull off such a feat.

Leading the charge is junior sprint-freestyler Blake Booher. Booher has led the league in the 50-yard freestyle the entire season, most recently setting a school record and the league's season-best mark at Busbey Natatorium on Feb. 4 with a career-best 20.40.

The defending league champion in the 50 free has won 18 consecutive dual meet 50-yard freestyle races, including a perfect 10-for-10 this year, making him a favorite to defend his crown.

UIC's other marquee freestyler, LeRoy Stevens, enters his final conference championship with eyes on winning championship hardware. A four-time All-Horizon League honoree following last year's meet, Stevens will give an all-out effort to help the Flames make history.

UIC Head Coach Paul Moniak will also have one of the region's top relay quartets ready to break their own league record, as the 200-yard freestyle relay foursome of Booher, Stevens, Bill Hare and Athanasios Lamprou return to bash the NCAA `B" Time Standard mark of 1:20.80 that they set at last year's championship extravaganza.

Senior scoring will be key to the Flames' success, as breaststroker Stefan Staev, butterfly artist Kris Simos, backstroker Adan Jimenez and butterfly/freestyle stalwart Ari Bernstein will need to post career swims in their final go-around to give UIC an important boost.

Young reliables such as the versatile Dan Hare, Edi Georg and Mike Conroy will be relied upon for big points, as will freshmen such as Sean Dawson.

As always, the diving corps will play a huge role in UIC's success. Board leaders and Zone C qualifiers Mark Pappalardo and Ryan Fitzer must bring their best to give UIC a chance at history.

WOMEN'S PREVIEW

The UIC women's swimming and diving team has proved to be consistent over the past five years, turning in a fourth-place finish each season amidst a crowd of tough league teams.

For UIC to make a move up, the Flames will rely on a versatile group of swimmers and a deep, steady diving squad.

Junior Kelly Hyatt leads the charge in the sprint-free events after sitting near the top of the league's rankings in the 50-yard freestyle. Hyatt also gives the Flames a top contender in the butterfly events.

Sophomore Colleen Dougherty, one of the best sprint-freestylers in the league during her two years at UIC, is also a favorite in the 50-yard freestyle. Dougherty placed second in last year's 50 free.

Fellow second-year standout Andrea Giczewski showed off her speed as the team's top 100-yard freestyler while giving the Flames her usual backstroke points.

Junior Jessica Darud made waves at last year's championship meet, posting three top-five finishes highlighted by an All-Horizon League Second Team performance in the 200 backstroke. Darud will compete in the backstroke and IM events and seek out an even better showing in her third league title tilt.

Senior Laura Martensen enters her final meet as the team's top distance swimmer. Last year Martensen set the school record in the 500 free with a 5:07.66 at the league championships.

Freestyle veterans Emily Biancalana and Aisha Williams will also provide prime points in individual events and relays.

On the diving side, seniors Caitlin Carey and Tara Goodwin and junior Sarah Economides lead a quality group that will keep the Flames in the hunt.

For session-by-session updates on Flames at the Horizon League Swimming & Diving Championships, check back here at uicflames.com.