Men's Swimming and Diving 2/4/2012 12:00:00 AM

Swimming & Diving Falls To Cleveland State In Season Finale

Feb. 4, 2012

CLEVELAND - The UIC men's and women's swimming & diving teams were unable to capture the final dual meet of the season, as they fell to Cleveland State at the Robert F. Busbey Natatorium on Saturday. The Vikings topped the men's squad 138-105, while the women's team was defeated 145-98.

"Today, we fell short against a tough Horizon League opponent, but we are excited to enter the final phase of the season in preparation for the League Championships," head coach Paul Moniak said.

In a hard fought battle with Cleveland State, the men and women were able to come away with improved times on the season.

Notable performances for the men's team (7-3, 3-2 HL) came from Zach Van Swol, Luke Martinez, Brian Sivak, Will Ikeda and Mike Greco.

Van Swol claimed first and set season-best times in the 1000 free with 9:33.80 and 500 free with 4:37.84. Martinez also recorded a pair of season bests in the 200 IM with 1:53.52, a first-place time, and the 200 fly with 1:53.70 for a second-place finish.

Sivak set a personal best with his second-place finish in the 200 fly with 1:54.48, while Ikeda held a season best in the 200 breast with 2:05.20.

Greco came away with an NCAA qualifier in the three-meter dive with his first-place score of 321.60, while also taking first in the one meter with 280.13.

In the 400 medley relay, Sivak, Ikeda, Vince Errichiello and Gabe Cury placed a season-best time with 3:25.82, claiming second place.

The women's team (7-5-1, 3-2-1 HL) was led by Melanie Waszak, Emily Gniatczyk, Andrea Longlade and Whitney Johnson in their respective events.

Waszak came out on top of her competitors to take the win in the 1000 free with 10:27.97, a season best. Gniatczyk produced a personal best in the 200 free with her second-place finish of 1:54.69.

In the 200 breast, Longlade (2:24.14), Sarah Walsh (2:24.59) and Alisa Penkala (2:29.03) took first, second and third place, respectively. Johnson grabbed first in the one-meter dive with 240.53.

The 400 medley relay team of Clair Martin, Monica Pinkus, Kelsey Millin and Marissa Yontz came in first with a time of 3:56.05.

Next up for the Flames is the Horizon League Championships, which are to be held Feb. 22-25 in Brown Deer, Wis.