In the 2017-18 season opener at Flames Natatorium, UIC's women's swimming and diving team topped Indiana State, 177-121.  The men's team swam an intrasquad exhibition, and swimmers from both teams turned in strong performances to set a foundation for the rest of the season.
 
Brie Hines dominated the meet's long distance events and had four first place finishes overall.  She finished the 1,000 free in 10:18.22, over 45 seconds faster than the second place finisher from Indiana State.  Her time of 4:59.49 was best in the 500 free, with Ashlin Ruiz and Morgan Bosse coming in second and third.  Hines held off ISU's Blanca Saez-Illobre in the 200 IM by three seconds.

Sophia Shalabi and Lexie Joy each placed first in two individual events and two relays.  Shalabi captured the 100 breaststroke in 1:06.10, and made it two for two in the discipline with a winning time of 2:22.93 in the 200 breast.  Joy took the 200 free in 1:52.90 and was two seconds clear of the field in the 100 free, finishing in :52.01.  The two teamed with Abby Kunze and Marisa Savegnago to claim the 400 medley relay with a winning time of 3:55.74.  Shalabi, Joy, Hines, and Dani Cabrera capped the meet with a thrilling win in the 200 free relay, beating Indiana State's A team by 0.57 seconds.

Head coach Tim Loeffler gave his thoughts on the opening meet.  Hear what he had to say in the video below, and continue scrolling for more results.


The Flames were bunched together at the top of the standings in most events.  Claudia Kirkpatrick was second, right behind Shalabi, in the 100 breast, while Morgan Bosse backed up Joy in the 200 free.  Though the Sycamores took the top spot in the 100 back and 200 fly, all Flames swimmers in both events finished before the next Indiana State entrant.

Freshman Cydney Liebenberg notched two victories in her first collegiate diving competition.  She won the three meter event, putting up a score of 46.60 and easily outpacing teammates Katy Knight, Natalie Williams, and Rachel Criscione who were second through fourth respectively.  Liebenberg's winning score of 42.68 in the one meter competition led a Flames sweep of the top five spots, with Criscione, Kallie Zuidema, Knight, and Williams following.

In the men's exhibition one meter dive, Andrew Lewarchick edged Sean Scarry for first place.  Lewarchick made it two-for-two by taking the three meter crown as well.  Scarry and Ryan Murphy slotted second and third in both events.

The men's team got several good performances in the pool.  Though racing only against their teammates, most of the Flames showed concentration and attention to all aspects of their races which will be necessary in the upcoming weeks.

Joe Perez had a successful afternoon across several events, and Michael Tegeler and Nathan Bosse swam very well also.  Hunter Crook, Frank Ruppel, and Luke Hutchinson showed that they will challenge for the top spots in several races in the upcoming tri- and quad meets.

The Flames will be back in action next weekend in a men's and women's meet against Green Bay and Valparaiso in Green Bay.