Feb. 18, 2008

The Flames swimming and diving squads commenced competition for the 2007-08 season with a dual match victory at Eastern Illinois in mid-October, and haven't looked back since. The team built up momentum throughout the year, taking on tough opponents in preparation for the Horizon League Championships, held February 20-23.

Prior to the start of the season, head coach Paul Moniak had a clear outlook on his team, a squad predominantly composed of fresh-faced newcomers.

"Everyone, freshmen and upperclassmen, is gelling together very well and will all come together for the common goal of success at the league championships."

The men's team came into the season with nine freshmen and ten returnees, but most noticeably was the absence of the core point-scorers for the Flames-- five graduated seniors-- including diving standout Mark Pappalardo and Olympic Trials sprint-freestyle qualifier Blake Booher.

With a balanced blend of strong newcomers and seasoned veterans alike, the squad compiled a 7-3 dual meet record, the Flames best result since the 2004-05 season.

Evan Dunn

An un-intimidated class of freshmen performed at a high level throughout the season, accounting for the majority of points scored. Oklahoma native Evan Dunn paced the Flames in the butterfly and individual medley events from the start of the year, picking up a win in the 400 IM against perennial Big Ten powerhouse No. 18 Northwestern in late October.

The sophomore sprinting duo of Brenden Dougherty and Cameron Seebeck paced the team with multiple victories in their specialty events throughout the season. Currently, the pair holds the sixth- and seventh-fastest 50 and 100 freestyle times in the Horizon League.

Brenden Dougherty

It was a record-breaking season for the women's team, which ended the season with a three dual meet win streak and an overall .500 record, the best result during Moniak's seven-year tenure at UIC.

Standout senior Andrea Giczewski broke the 100- and 200-yard free school records at the final home meet of her career.

Andrea Giczewski

"Andrea has enjoyed one of those rare seasons where everything has gone right," said Moniak. "The combination of her training over the past three years and remaining healthy has made this a really special season."

Giczewski went undefeated in the 50 and 100 freestyle events for the entire dual-meet portion of the Flame's schedule. Her only loss of the season in her specialty events was at the highly competitive Miami invitational in late November, where she placed fourth in the 50-yard free and sixth in the 100-yard free events.

Freshmen Kelly Hashoian and Brooke Sawyer aided the women's squad with stellar performances all season long. Sawyer, a butterfly and backstroke specialist, picked up 12 wins throughout the season for the Flames.

Kelly Hashoian

Hashoian, a Wisconsin native, had a spectacular freshman campaign that saw her break the 500-, 1000- and 1650-yard freestyle events in the course of less than two months time.

"The freshmen are a good group that works hard everyday," said Moniak. "They push each other in practice."

Tristan Oleynik

While small in number, the diving squad for the Flames has improved all season long. Freshman Sonia Peterson has led an all-rookie trio of women on the boards, while junior diving captain Tristan Oleynik has led the men, setting a personal best in the one-meter in November, while achieving the qualifying standard for the NCAA Zone C Championships in March.

As the team heads into the Horizon League Championships, held on February 20-23 at Cleveland State, Moniak has fervent expectations for his squads.

"We are going to improve upon last year's finish," said Moniak. "That means we qualify as many student-athletes for the finals, and place as many athletes in the top eight as we can."

The 2007 championships saw both men's and women's teams place fourth overall. This season, with Wright State and Cleveland State entering the meet as the teams to beat, a top-three finish isn't out of the question.

"There is always a clear favorite going into the Horizon League championships," said Moniak. "It's our job to be the spoiler and improve on what we did last year."

Fans unable to attend the 2008 Horizon League Championships will be able to catch all of the action online as the Horizon League Network will be broadcasting live on Feb. 21-23 at horizonleaguenetwork.tv.