UIC's women completed a 4-0 weekend, while the men fell victim to a Cleveland State comeback, in a triple-dual meet at UIC Natatorium Saturday.
Double event winners Cydney Liebenberg and Maddie Hawker paced the Flames women to wins over IUPUI and Cleveland State. Their margins of victory were over 50 points against both Horizon League rivals. UIC's men led by eight points with only two events to go. The Vikings used the 400 IM and the 400 free relay to rally for a six-point win.
"This is the best women's team I've had in my time at UIC,"
Tim Loeffler said. "We don't have a superstar like a Brie Hines or Lexie Joy, but we're so deep. On the men's side, we were a little shorthanded today. We tried to build momentum early and have that carry us through the meet, but we just ran out of steam at the end.
"Credit to Cleveland State, though. There's a reason they haven't finished lower than second [at conference] in many years."
Overall, UIC went 5-1 in the triple-dual meets contested over two days. The full team will compete at home only once more, on January 25. The UIC Diving Invitational will take place February 1.
Event Winners – Women
- Cydney Liebenberg overcame a sub-30 score on her first dive to win the 1-meter event. Despite the slow start, she still posted an NCAA Zone-qualifying score, her fourth of the season. After a foul and a score of just 14.00 on one 3-meter dive, she likewise rallied to win that event.
- Maddie Hawker was the winner in the 1000 free and the 500 free.
- Misha Neal took first in the 200 free.
- Anna Scovill won the 100 back.
- Emily Sullivan had the fastest time in the 100 fly.
Event Winners – Men
- Felix LaFortune set a season high of 348.95 to win the 3-meter event. His 1-meter season high, 315.00, was good for first in that event.
- Kyle Lewarchick was the winner in the 200 free.
- Danny Sivak took top honors in the 100 back and 50 breast.
- Bryce Wyma was the winner in the 50 back.
- Jacob Cunningham won the 500 free.
Top Performances – Women
- Maya Molldrem turned in a season high on the 1-meter board, and was just two points off her best score in 3-meter diving, and was second in both events.
- Victoria Thor was second in the 1000 and third in the 500.
- Emily Sullivan was second, Lilly Culp was third, and Mariah Clemons was fourth, in the 50 fly.
- Lauren Johnson and Poleena Kovalaske finished tied for second in the 50 free. Johnson was also second in the 100 free. Kovalaske had another second place showing in the 50 breast.
- Anna Scovill came in second in the 50 back.
- Lilly Culp was second in the 400 IM, one spot ahead of Ashton Amerman.
Top Performances – Men
- Ryan Murphy set a career high of 283.55 on the 1-meter board, and finished second in that event and the 3-meter contest. Andrew Lewarchick took third on both boards.
- Luke Hutchinson was second in the 1000 free.
- Josh Dellorto came in second in the 200 free. Peter Andreev was fourth in that race. Dellorto also had a second place finish in the 100 free.
- Bryce Wyma and Owen Zant were third and fourth respectively in the 100 back.
- Ben Gabbey was third in the 100 breast.
- Gabriele Sasia was second in the 50 fly. Eric Weng was fourth. Sasia took second in the 100 fly as well.
Relays – Women
- Anna Scovill, Poleena Kovalaske, Emily Sullivan, and Lauren Johnson took first in the 400 medley relay.
- Kovalaske, Johnson, Misha Neal, and Scovill won the 400 free relay.
Relays – Men
Up Next
- The Flames return to action next week with another Horizon League dual meet.
- UIC will visit Green Bay on Saturday for an 11 am showdown.
