Oct. 10, 2008

Coral Gables, Fla. - Complete Release in PDF Format

The University of Miami swimming & diving team travels north this weekend to take on North Carolina State University in their first head-to-head meet of the year at the Casey Aquatic Center in Raleigh, N.C. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

After splitting last week's "three-way dance" with Florida Gulf Coast and rival Florida State, the Hurricanes are eager for their first head-to-head matchup. Head swimming coach Christie Shefchunas is excited about the effort her team put forth last week, and hopes it continues over this weekend.

"I'm excited to see how the team performs at our first road meet of the year," expressed Shefchunas. "We know our pool really well, and are used to the environment. Now it'll be a real test when we have to venture into a new surrounding for the first time."

Miami's diving team had every single participant qualify last weekend for the Zone "B" diving championships in early March 2009. Reuben Ross (men), Jenna Dreyer (women) and Brittany Viola (women) all won events for the Hurricanes against FGCU and FSU.

"This should be a good weekend because we're facing an ACC opponent, and that always makes it interesting," added Shefchunas. "It's going to be interesting to see how everyone steps up to the challenge."

This marks the first time UM has taken on North Carolina State in a head-to-head contest in women's history. The last time the men's team [now just diving] battled the Wolfpack was back during the 1972-73 campaign. NCSU came out on top in that meeting, 69-44.

Information on this weekend and complete notes for the Hurricanes of the University of Miami can be obtained by logging on to www.hurricanesports.com.

Hurricane Warning...
Miami takes to the road this week as the Hurricanes participate against ACC foe North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C. The `Canes opened up the season with a split of a tri-meet match against Florida Gulf Coast and Florida State last weekend at home.

UM has not faced NC State in a recorded head-to-head match-up in women's history. However, the men's team is 0-3 all-time against the Wolfpack. The last recorded meeting was during the 1972-73 season with the Wolfpack taking a 69-44 meeting in Raleigh.

A number of swimmers are still injured/ill for the Hurricanes, but the numbers in key areas should go up drastically this weekend. A few people were sorely missed last week in the season-opener at the Norman Whitten Student Union Pool.

Boesing Performs at High Level...
Senior Britta Boesing has been raved about since last season for her ability to get points and assist UM in both the breaststroke and IM. Boesing has been a consistent performer for the Hurricanes at both positions, and should continue to do the same after picking up two top times against FGCU/FSU.

Alicia Casillas Redshirts...
Highly-touted transfer Alicia Casillas will sit out this year due to a redshirt. Last season, Casillas was a consistent source of points for the University of Kansas Jayhawks swim team. She comes to UM expected to be a top performer in years to come.

Olympic Sighting...
The 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China saw a host of student-athletes from Miami take to the waters and represent a total of three nations. Head diving coach Randy Ableman served as head coach of the South African national team where Jenna Dreyer competed for the RSA in diving; Reuben Ross was also coached by Ableman as he dove for Canada; and freshman Kelci Bryant dove for the United States.

About North Carolina State...
N.C. State welcomes back an All-ACC diver, Kristin Davies, as well as sprinters Ashley Richter, Lucy Lindsey and Erica Smith. The Wolfpack are competing in their first event of the year after holding their annual Red & White Scrimmage last weekend. NCSU returns 11 letterwinners from last year along with eight freshmen to make up a talented group.

Last Time vs. North Carolina State...
There is only a score that exists in the Miami records books for the last time the Hurricanes faced the Wolfpack, that being a 69-44 victory for N.C. State back in the middle of the 1972-73 campaign. That was also a men's swimming event. This is the first time UM will face NCSU in a head-to-head swimming and diving meet in NCAA Division I history.

Up Next for the Hurricanes...
Miami will return home next Saturday, Oct. 18 when they host cross-town rival Florida International University at 11 a.m. The event will take place at the Norman Whitten Student Union Pool, and admission is always free to the public.

UM versus Florida Gulf Coast/Florida State...
UM won their head-to-head match-up with Florida Gulf Coast, 140-103, but dropped their second match against the Seminoles of FSU, 143-99.

The Orange and Green got solid production from a variety of swimmers, while swimming head coach Christie Shefchunas says the meet was a great opener for her team. Annika Saarnak collected a meet-best time in the 100 freestyle after capturing a mark of52.16 seconds as leadoff in the 400 freestyle relay. The 400 free relay team finished with a time of 3:32.15.

Also impressive was Ryann Labreche who finished second overall in the 1000 free with a time of 10:28.35, and Saarnak followed that with a second place time (1:52.24) in the 200 free.