Sept. 29, 2009

The Florida Atlantic University men's and women's swimming teams will begin their 2009-10 seasons on Friday, October 2, with a dual meet against in-state rival Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla., before traveling to Atlanta on Saturday to battle Georgia Tech, Western Kentucky University and the University of Alabama.

The men's team returns a core of key contributors from last year's squad that placed fifth in the Sun Belt Conference championships. Returning for another season are junior Michael Shimansky, who set a school record in the 1,650-yard freestyle at last year's league championships; sophomore Csaba Pek, a NCAA championship provisional qualifier in the 400-yard intermediate medley; and Mikolaj Czarnecki, an eighth place conference finisher in the 100-yard butterfly.

The women's team finished in fourth place in the Sun Belt championships a year ago, but returns just four seniors heading into the 2009-10 season. Michele Sandelin was named the Sun Belt's Dive Coach of the Year after leading Lauren Harvath and Stephanie Goodman to top-six finishes in multiple events. The Owls have two talented swimmers in the 200-yard breaststroke event as sophomore Ewa Jamborska and senior Whitney Roper placed third and seventh, respectively, in last year's conference championships.

The swimming teams will host an alumni meet during homecoming on October 31. The regular-season home opener is set for December 18 with a triangular meet against Clemson University and Northwestern University.