This past weekend, three UIC male swimmers were given the unique opportunity to compete at the prestigious U.S. Open at Auburn University. Paul Torres, Diego Lora Coronado and Tom Schwingen competed with the likes of 2000 Olympians Megan Quann, Ed Moses, Neil Walker, Rada Owen and Pat Calhoun.

"It was exciting for the three swimmers and I," Assistant coach Eric Holton said. "To compete with swimmers that got gold medals at the 2000 Olympics was motivating."

Torres made the most of his opportunity as he advanced out of the 400 individual medley preliminaries with a time of 4:31.08. Torres, however, was disqualified in the "C" Flight final for the use of an alternate kick. Torres, along with Lora Coronado (2:21.52), advanced out of the 200-meter breaststroke preliminaries with a time of 2:19.13.

Lora Coronado competed in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:05.37) but was unable to get past the preliminary rounds. Schwingen turned in a time of 24.12 in the 50-meter freestyle preliminaries.

The trio, however, were not the only UIC swimmers in action as the rest of the team traveled to South Bend, Ind., to take part in the Notre Dame Invitational from Thursday thru Saturday.

Interim head coach Ina Harizanova and diving coach Larry Barcheski had to drive back from South Bend each night to pick up students who were taking their finals.

Harizanova found it difficult for her athletes to concentrate on the meet right in the middle of finals.

"I had kids studying in the bleachers," Harizanova said. "The effort was there and I appreciate that - but academics comes first."

Notre Dame Invitational
Men's Results
200-yard medley relay (1:41.89),
800-yard freestyle relay (7:29.49),
Stefan Jansson (500-yard freestyle, 5:19.69, 200-yard freestyle, 1:53.95),
Joakim Skrabb (50-yard freestyle, 22.89),
Charles Rock (3-meter diving, 384.50),
Michael Magee (3-meter diving, 414.05),
Erwin Tan (100-yard butterfly, 57.68),
Jim King (100-yard butterfly, 59.08, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:02.51),
Jay Arnett (200-yard freestyle, 1:58.60, 100-yard breaststroke, 1:02.18).