A successful opening meet saw UIC win 21 combined events, and sweep the top three places in four events, as the men and women both defeated Milwaukee at Flames Natatorium.  UIC's men claimed a 195-104 triumph, and the women prevailed by a score of 176.5-123.5.

Veterans established their presence, with the likes of Liam Davis, Jan Komorowski, Jeff Wiedoff, and Ben Ramminger all winning multiple events.  Freshmen had their say as well.  Bruno Carrillo, Brianna Corro, Isabella Drake, and Madison Helmick were all event winners.

"Today was a great way to kick off the new era of UIC swimming and diving," first-year head coach Ashley Dell said.  "Having three divers qualify for Zones in the first dual meet is huge and we had so many standout swimmers between the four relay wins and several individual event champions.  It was a blast to see them race again and to think we're just getting started is super exciting."

The Flames showed their depth in several events.  Victoria Thor, Taira Juronis, and Jessica Sanders were among the women with multiple top-three finishes.  Luke Wiesner and Owen Zant turned in good swims in both backstroke events, as did Dan Galinski and Aidan Foley in the breaststroke races.

UIC bookended the meet with wins in the medley and freestyle relays by the men and the women.

A busy October will see the women host the Valley Showcase next weekend.  UNI, Illinois State, and Indiana State will visit Flames Natatorium for a two-day meet on Friday and Saturday.
 
Event Winners

• Ciara McCliment claimed the 3-meter and 1-meter diving events, with an NCAA Zone-qualifying score in each.
• Bruno Carrillo was the winner in 1-meter men's diving.  By breaking 300 points, he qualified for NCAA zones on the board.
• Brianna Corro had a 10-second margin of victory in the 1000 free.
• Liam Davis finished strong to win the 1000 free.  He also won the 200 fly.
• Kalie Landrum took the 200 free, and led four Flames atop the 500 free.
• Jan Komorowski won the 200 free and the 500 free.
• Isabella Drake was fastest in the 100 back.
• Cory Michalek led a trio of Flames who swept the 100 back.
• The Flames swept the top three spots in the 100 breast as well, with Ben Ramminger leading the way.
• Poleena Kovalaske out-touched a Panther to win the 50 free.
• Jeff Wiedoff won the 50 free and 100 free.
• Madison Helmick finished in a dead heat to tie for first in the 100 free.
• Owen Zant won the 200 back.
• It was another Flames sweep in the 200 breast, which Ben Ramminger won.  He also won the 200 IM.

Top Performers

• Victoria Thor was third in the 1000 free and the 500 free.
• Madison Helmick came in second in the 200 free and the 500 free.
• Matt Fernandez nipped a Panther to place third in the 200 free.
• Ashlee Weltyk swam third in the 100 back.
• Luke Wiesner and Owen Zant were second and third respectively in the 100 back.  Wiesner was third in the 200 back.
• Sam Malecki was second in the 100 breast.
• Dan Galinski and Aidan Foley came in 2-3 in the 100 breast.  They flipped positions in the 200 breast.  Galinski was third in the 200 IM.
• Hunter Rey came in third in the 50 free.
• Kovalaske was third in the 100 free.
• Komorowski finished second in the 100 free.
• Drake was the third place swimmer in the 200 back.
• Taira Juronis and Jessica Sanders were second and third in the 200 breast.  Juronis was also second in the 200 IM.
• Isabella Del Rosario was second in the 100 fly.
• Carrillo came in second on the 3-meter board.
• Kerri-Leigh Morrison was the runner-up in both women's diving events.  She cleared the Zone standard on the 1-meter board.

Relays

• Drake, Juronis, Del Rosario, and Kovalaske claimed first place in the 200 medley relay.
• Zant, Ramminger, Wiedoff, and Michalek teamed up to win the 200 medley relay.
• The Flames also won the 200 free relay on both the men's and women's sides.