The UIC swimming and diving team will get its first taste of competition Saturday when the Flames host Milwaukee for a dual meet.

The meet is the first of three straight weekends of competition for the women, and two out of three weeks for the men.  Both squads will get an important chance to establish baseline times on which they will strive to improve by the conference meets in February and March.

UIC's men will compete with an infusion of young talent.  Five freshmen are slated to make their collegiate debuts.  They comprise nearly one-third of the men's team.  Seniors Jeff Wiedoff and Owen Zant return as veteran leaders, as does a large junior class that includes triple conference finalist Jan Komorowski.

The Flames women are deeper, with a large senior class that includes program record holders and frequent visitors to the conference meet podium.  Poleena Kovalaske will be a force in the sprint freestyle races.  Lizzie Zeller has proven to be a top finisher in backstroke events and a versatile contributor.

The diving squads will return NCAA Zone qualifiers on both the men's and women's teams, though both will have to replace the all-time record holders for their respective programs.  Ciara McCliment and Cole Tremewan bring postseason experience from their freshman seasons.

The Panthers are likewise swimming in their first competitive meet.  UIC's men outscored Milwaukee at last year's conference meet, though the Panther women bested the Flames.

The meet will start at 11:00 a.m.   Admission is free.