`Canes Set to Open Season at Florida Invitational
Oct. 1, 2010
Coral Gables, Fla. – Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Christie Shefchunas, the University of Miami swimming & diving team is set to open the 2010-11 season at the inaugural Florida Invitational, hosted by the University of Florida at the Stephen O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla. The event, running Oct. 1-3, features teams from all around the Sunshine State.
The Hurricanes return 16 letterwinners from the 2009-10 campaign, including senior Annika Saarnak (Pühalepa, Estonia) and sophomore Sofia Johansson (Ramlösa, Sweden). Saarnak competed for her home country this past summer at the LEN European Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Also back for UM are junior Dana Hatic (Coral Springs, Fla.) and sophomore Christine Anderson (Chattanooga, Tenn.). Seniors Ryann Labreche (Fort Myers, Fla.) and Deidre Novotny (Palm Harbor, Fla.) will also be counted on to contribute once again for Miami.
Miami also welcomes a host of newcomers to the roster that will look to contribute right away for the `Canes.
In season-openers under Shefchunas, the Hurricanes have claimed a 3-1 record, with their lone loss being a 143-99 setback to ACC rival Florida State in 2008-09 at home. This is the third season-opening meet not being a head-to-head matchup. Last year, UM traveled to Atlanta for a four-way meet featuring Georgia Tech, Clemson and Western Kentucky.
The Hurricanes ended the season on a tear at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, seeing Saarnak claim an NCAA “B” cut qualifying time in the 100 freestyle. In head-to-head matches, the `Canes won their final four meets of the season, defeating Illinois, Nebraska, Central Connecticut State and Florida Atlantic.
Live results and scores for this weekend’s event are available by visiting www.gatorzone.com.
For more information on the University of Miami swimming & diving program, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, results and information regarding the Hurricanes swimming & diving program.
You can also keep up-to-date with all UM Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/HurricaneSports.
