UIC gave defending conference champion Oakland a run for its money in a dual meet at Flames Natatorium Friday night.  The Flames' women, led by multiple-event winners Lilly Culp, Jessica Phillips, and Lizzie Zeller, were within 56 points of the Golden Grizzlies, marking the closest finish the undefeated Oakland women have had all year.

"This may be the best women's team, top to bottom, that we've had since I've been here," Tim Loeffler said.  "We had a few swimmers out on both the men's and women's sides and we still had a very strong meet.  I'm very excited to see what our women can accomplish the rest of the year, and I'm eager to see our newcomers and freshmen on the men's team continue to develop and improve."

UIC's men were shorthanded in several races but got winning swims from Jan Komorowski and Jeff Wiedoff.  The Flames left more points on the table due to the absences of divers Felix LaFortune and Cydney Liebenberg, who are in Lexington preparing for the NCAA Zone C meet.

Event Winners

• Jan Komorowski stayed undefeated in the distance events, winning the 1000 and 500 free.
• Jessica Phillips got her first win as a Flame in the 200 free winner.
• Fellow freshman Ashlee Weltyk won the 100 back.
• Lilly Culp won the 200 and 100 fly, doubling up for the second straight meet.
• Jeff Wiedoff was the fastest in the 50 free again.
• Lauren Johnson came in first in the 100 free.
• Lizzie Zeller won the 200 back.  It was her third different individual event win this season.

Top Performers

• Christina Neri was second in the 1000 free.
• Josh Dellorto came in third in the 200 free and second in the 100.
• Anna Scovill was second in the 100 back.
• Ben Ramminger swam third in the 100 and 200 breast.
• Gabriele Sasia was second as UIC's lone entrant in the 200 fly.
• Beth Kelzer was just behind Johnson in the 100 free.
• Owen Zant was second in the 200 back.
• Phillips was second in the 500.
• Kallie Zuidema was fifth in both diving events, and Hunter Trautmann was second on both boards.

Relays

• Zeller, Taira Juronis, Culp, and Bree Moericke came in second in the 400 medley relay.
• Bryce Wyma, Ramminger, Sasia, and Dellorto were third in the 400 medley.
• Moericke, Phillips, Kelzer, and Zeller won the 400 free relay.
• Komorowski, Wiedoff, Wyma, and Dellorto were second in the 400 free.

Up Next

• The Flames will have two full weeks before their next meet.
• UIC will host Milwaukee on March 20.
• The dual meet rematch with the Panthers will be the final meet of the regular season.