UM Swimming & Diving to Celebrate Senior Day
Jan. 20, 2011
Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami swimming & diving team will honor six seniors on Fri., Jan. 21, as they compete in their last home event as Hurricane student-athletes, taking on Florida Atlantic at the Norman A. Whitten University Center Pool on the UM campus at 3 p.m.
Head coach Christie Shefchunas, now in her fifth year at the helm in Coral Gables, is sending off her first-ever UM recruiting class on Friday. The seniors being recognized include Alicia Casillas, Lauren Jacoby, Ryann Labreche, Deidre Novotny and Annika Saarnak on the swimming team. For diving, All-American and National Champion diver Brittany Viola will be honored as she finishes up one of the most storied women’s diving careers in UM history for head diving coach Randy Ableman.
As a team, Miami (6-1) has won its last five meets dating back to a tri-meet split with Florida State and Florida Gulf Coast. Last time out, the `Canes swept FIU and Central Connecticut State in a tri-meet host by the Golden Panthers in Miami a week ago. Overall, the `Canes have won 11 of their last 12 dual or tri-meets under the guise of Shefchunas.
The lone senior diver being honored is Brittany Viola. A native of Orlando, Fla., she is the 2009 NCAA women’s platform champion, in addition to claiming three All-America honors in her career.
Saarnak will conclude one of the greatest careers in the Shefchunas era, holding two school records (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly) and is a part of three other schools records in relay events (800 freestyle, 200 medley, 400 medley). Saarnak is currently the national record-holder for her home country of Estonia, registering a time of 54.78 in the 100-meter freestyle in December 2009.
On the 2010-11 campaign, Saarnak is ranked among the top five in the 50- and 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 200- and 400 free relay, 200- and 400 medley relay.
“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.”
Admission to all home swim meets is absolutely free, and fans are encouraged to attend.
Complete results and a recap of Friday’s meet will be posted to HurricaneSports.com. After the FAU meet, the Hurricanes will get back to the water again at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on Feb. 16-19, in Atlanta. For more information, please visit TheACC.com.
For more information on the University of Miami swimming & diving team, please log on to HurricaneSports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, stats 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.
