Central Connecticut State, Florida International vs. Miami

MIAMI, Florida, January 15. THE University of Miami swimming & diving team competed in its first action in over a month on Sat., Jan. 15, defeating FIU (167-91) and Central Connecticut State at the Bay Vista Aquatics Complex at FIU's Biscayne Bay campus in North Miami, Fla.

Under the direction of swimming head coach Christie Shefchunas, Miami (6-1) earned its fourth and fifth consecutive wins of the season, respectively. On the day, the Hurricanes claimed wins in 10-of-13 events.

"Coming out of winter training, I thought the team did a good job today," said Shefchunas following her 42nd career dual victory in Coral Gables. "With only four weeks remaining until the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, we really tried to use this race as good race practice preparing for that meet."

The Hurricanes' 400-yard medley relay team began the day with the win, using the team of Whitney Stephenson (leadoff), Sofia Johansson (second), Annika Saarnak (third) and Kelsi Hall (anchor) to score the win in a time of 3:48.37. The "B" team, comprised of Hannah Kling, Dana Hatic, Deidre Novotny and Lauren Jacoby, finished second, touching the wall in a time of 3:58.96.

Sophomore Christine Anderson took the win in the 1000 freestyle in a time of 10:27.22, followed by junior Alicia Casillas in third at 10:45.00. Hannah Kling secured a third place time in the 200 freestyle, touching the pad in 1:55.64.

Junior Kelsi Hall turned in a first place time of 23.81 in the 50-yard freestyle, with Kayla Smith following just behind at 24.84. Teammate Haley Nicholson came in third in the event, finishing at 2:13.00. Senior Deidre Novotny took the win in the 200 individual medley, as she posted a time of 2:07.97. Nicholson followed in third place at 2:13.00.

In diving action, Carrie Dragland (326.00) and senior All-American Brittany Viola (282.35) went back-to-back in 1-meter springboard action. Dragland continued the winning ways in the 3-meter event, turning in a score of 264.75.

Back on the lanes, UM concluded the day with senior Annika Saarnak scoring a win in the 100 freestyle (51.48); and Whitney Stephenson (2:01.13), Roxanne Meyer (2:05.27), Kling (2:05.47) and Novotny (2:08.18) followed each other in order from the top in the 200 backstroke.

Ryann Labreche paced the `Canes in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:11.47, taking second place overall. Sofia Johansson led all performers in the 200 breaststroke with a mark of 2:18.93, followed in second place by Dana Hatic in a time of 2:24.06.

UM ended the day in the 400 freestyle relay with a winning time of 3:30.47, turned in by the swims of Saarnak (leadoff), Hall (second), Stephenson (third) and Jacoby (anchor). The "B" team was charged by Susan Smiddy, Katherine Nicholson, Kayla Smith and Alexis Fee to claim a third place time of 3:40.92.

The `Canes conclude the 2010-11 dual season on Fri., Jan. 21, playing host to Florida Atlantic at the Norman A. Whitten University Center Pool at 3 p.m. The meet will serve as Senior Appreciation Day for the Hurricanes, as the seniors being honored represent the first UM recruiting class by fifth-year head coach Shefchunas.

"Senior Day will be special to me," said Shefchunas. "These seniors were my first recruiting class, and that's obviously going to be a big deal. As far as the last meet is concerned, in general, we'll use it as another good opportunity to get ready for ACC's, and hope to capture a win and finish the season strong."

For more information on the University of Miami swimming & diving program, please log on to HurricaneSports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, results and information regarding the Hurricanes swimming & diving program.

You can keep up-to-date with all UM Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/HurricaneSports. You can also become a fan of the 'Canes on Facebook at Facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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