Oct. 10, 2009
Complete Results in PDF Format 
Atlanta, Ga. -
The University of Miami swimming and diving team opened the season at Atlanta on Saturday, finishing the day with a 0-3 record in tight contests against Western Kentucky, Clemson and host Georgia Tech at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center. Overall, the Hurricanes won six events, and eight wins against ACC schools.
Miami (0-3, 0-2 ACC) was participating against good teams on Saturday, though taking to the pool with no divers in this weekend's meet. Therefore, valuable points were left off the final score sheet for the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes dropped their three contests to Western Kentucky (178-114), Clemson (162-124) and Georgia Tech (156-130).
Miami began the day with a solid fifth place showing in the 200 medley relay using Hannah Kling, Sofia Johansson, Deidre Novotny and Lauren Jacoby for a time of 1:47.56.
Junior Ryann Labreche took first place in the 1000-yard freestyle for a time of 10:17.53. Tiffany Petzold finished sixth with a mark of 10:31.22. Miami also took a first place finish from Annika Saarnak with a time of 1:51.58. In her Miami debut, Hannah Kling finished seventh in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.19 seconds.
"The girls swam amazing," stated UM swimming head coach Christie Shefchunas. "We had so many great swims today and I think it truly set us up for a great season."
UM continued strong swims in the 100-yard breaststroke as freshman Johansson picked up a winning time of 1:04.08 in her collegiate debut. Christine Anderson, also making her UM debut, finished fourth with a time of 1:05.59.
Saarnak continued her determination in the pool with her second winning performance on the day, this time in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 50.68. Kling picked up a top 3 mark in the 200-yard backstroke with a performing time of 2:04.96. Roxanne Meyer, after sitting out last season for the `Canes, posted a mark of 2:05.13 in the 200 back in her Hurricanes debut, placing fourth.
"There is new determination, a new confidence with this team," stated Shefchunas. "Every time someone would win an event, I'd tell the girls `we're not messing around this year.' These girls are determined to make this a great team, and they stepped up and got it done today."
UM picked up two top 3 marks in the 200 breast, using Anderson (2:20.93) and Johansson (2:21.46) for second and third, respectively. That was followed by a win in the 500 free as Labreche registered her second win of the afternoon in a 5:01.77 winning mark. Tiffany Petzold was third (5:03.86).
Miami picked up two more top 3 performances from Saarnak and Novotny in the 100-yard butterfly, with Saarnak leading the way with a time of 56.43.
"This is going to be a fun season if they keep this up," said Shefchunas."
The Hurricanes will get back to the pool on Saturday, Oct. 17 when they travel to Fort. Myers, Florida for a tri-meet with Florida Gulf Coast and ACC foe Florida State. The meet is set to begin at 11 a.m.
For more information on the University of Miami Swimming & Diving team, 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.
