April 29, 2003

Chicago, Ill. - Closing in on the elite of the Horizon League, University of Illinois at Chicago head swimming and diving coach Paul Moniak inked five talented prep student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, which will certainly help the Flames reach their goals next season.

"With this recruiting class, we are taking the right steps towards reaching our goal of finishing in the top-three of the Horizon League," Moniak said.

The five incoming freshman are: Kelly Hyatt (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee H.S.), Jessica Darud (Chaska, Minn./Chaska H.S.), Sarah Economides (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North H.S.), Carlie Schoaf (Morrison, Ill./Morrison H.S.) and Emily Biancalana (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago H.S.).

Hyatt is a star in the Minnesota prep ranks, as she is the Class A State Champion in the 100-yard freestyle with a best time of 53.38 in that event. Hyatt was also second-place in the state in the 50-yard freestyle and her personal best of 24.19 already exceed the current UIC school record in that event.

"Kelly will step in and be right there with the top sprinters in the Horizon League," said Moniak. "She'll make an immediate impact."

Fellow Minnesota native Darud will aid the backstroke corps of the Flames. Darud finished fifth in the 100-yard backstroke at the Class AA Minnesota State Championship, and added a ninth-place tally in the 200-yard IM where she has a best time of 2:13.63. Darud has personal bests of 1:00.26 in the 100-yard backstroke and 2:12.00 in the 200-yard backstroke.

Economides will contribute to the always-potent UIC diving team, as she finished in 12th-place at the Illinois State Finals this past season. Economides will compliment rising stars Caitlin Carey and Tara Goodwin on the Flames squad with personal bests of 214.05 (six dives) and 414.25 (11 dives) on the one-meter board.

Schoaf is a gifted swimmer specializing in the backstroke events, as she was a state qualifier in the 100-yard backstroke. Schoaf brings with her to UIC a personal best of 1:01.8.

Biancalana was signed in the November signing period and is a two-time Illinois State Finals qualifier. The sprinter has career bests of 24.79 in the 50-yard free, 54.47 in the 100-yard free and 1:59.63 in the 200-yard free. She was also a member of the fourth-place 200-yard free relay team from the 2002 IHSA State Finals for West Chicago.

"We lacked in team depth this year and we are headed in the right direction with these kids," said Moniak. "All of them will immediately help the team in our relays and make the team better."