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Oct. 23, 2009

CHICAGO- The 2009-10 swimming and diving season will kick of this Friday when UIC hosts Wright State.

The men's team will look to repeat as Horizon League Champions, while the women will look to improve on their fourth place finish from last season.

"Obviously the goal is to get to that point again." said head coach Paul Moniak. "We need our current student-athletes to keep their progress going, keep improving along with the incoming freshmen and transfers, because we know that the other teams are much improved, so we know it's going to be a difficult task."

Moniak is entering his eighth season as UIC head swimming and diving coach. He is accompanied by diving coach Susan Bromberg and assistant coach Emily Cocks. Noelle Whillite will join the coaching staff as the volunteer assistant coach.

The core of the men's championship team will be returning this season which includes juniors Brain Anderson, Evan Dunn, Andrew Schmitt, and Steve Yemm, and sophomores Will Ikeda and Zach Van Swol.

On the women's team, senior Kayla Redig, junior Brooke Sawyer, and sophomore Clair Martin will all return this season.

Seniors Andy Peterson and Brenden Dougherty will lead the men's team this season as the team's co-captains, while senior Shaina Isreal and junior Julia Shallcross will lead the women's team.

The men's team this season will show more depth on the diving side, compared to last season. The team will carry four divers; three of the four are freshmen on the roster this season compared to just one last season. Freshman Mike Greeco is one of the recruits that will make a splash this season.

"Mike Greeco has looked very very strong in early season workouts, so we're expecting a solid season from him." said Moniak.

As for the men's sprints category, Moniak did add three new sprinters on the team and expects them to help out Anderson and Dougherty this season.

The women's team will also be more improved in diving this season. The coaching staff added two freshman divers to help out junior Laurel Heath.

As for distance Israel and senior Emily Hare are returning and will be accompanied by newcomer McKinzie Jacobs.

In sprints, freshman sprinter Emily Gniatczyk will likely see a lot of time in the pool along with Redig.

"In the early season workouts on the women's side, Emily has done very well." said Moniak, "We are looking for very big things from her"

The Flames will be well represented the weekend of Nov. when the squad will be attending both the TYR invite, hosted by Northwestern, as well as the University of Chicago invite in Hyde Park.

"It's a rehearsal for the Horizon League Championships" said Moniak. "We felt that our performance was good, but it could have been a little better if we had the championship meet experience rather than just dual meet experience, so that's why we will be in attendance at both invites."

Aside from the five home meets held throughout the 2009-10 season, the UIC Natatorium will play host for the 2010 Horizon League Championships, where the Flames look to defend their '09 crown.

The Flames will take on Wright State today in the UIC Natatorium at 4:30 p.m.

UIC Flames Men's Swimming

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