Cydney Liebenberg became the most decorated 3-meter diver in Horizon League history as the conference championships began Wednesday in Indianapolis.


Liebenberg won the 3-meter championship for the fourth time.  She scored 317.00 in the final round, outdistancing the field by nearly 30 points.  She is the only diver – male or female – to win four Horizon League 3-meter crowns.

Liebenberg was the top seed in the finals after scoring 300.80 in the prelims.  She has now scored over 300 in four straight competitive rounds.  UIC now has a conference-best seven all-time women's 3-meter champions.

The battle for second place was intense, with three divers, including Ciara McCliment, within three points of one another in the late rounds.  Eventually, Mckenzie Sanchez pulled away and McCliment, who scored 272.20, finished fifth.  It was her third-best score of the season, and an improvement of the 256.45 she posted in the prelims.

Elsewhere on Day One, Cory Michalek, Ben Ramminger, Liam Davis, and Jeff Wiedoff combined to finish the 200 medley relay in a season-best 1:31.30.  The group took sixth place.  The day finished with the men's 800 free relay.  UIC took third thanks to strong swims from Jan Komorowski, Josh Dellorto, Kyle Lewarchick, and Tyler Schwartfeger.

The Flames' women had a rough start in the pool.  Both relay teams were disqualified for an early takeoff.

UIC's men finished the day in fourth place.  The women stand in sixth.

Action will heat up when the championships continue at IUPUI Natatorium Thursday.  Champions are set to be crowned in three individual swimming events, the men's 1-meter diving competition, and the 200 free relay.