Hines sets UIC swimming record

Sophomore Briana Hines broke the UIC record in the 1000 free with a time of 10:03.49 during a meet Saturday at the University of Chicago. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The UIC swimming and diving teams competed in their first meet of the regular season Saturday at the University of Chicago.

Brianna Hines, the 2014 Horizon League Freshman of the Year, carried her momentum from last season, setting the UIC record and the pool record at Ratner Athletics Center with a time of 10:03.49 in the 1000 free. She also captured a victory in the 500 free (4:57.14).

The Flames competed in a quad meet alongside the Maroons, Northwestern and Denison. The men’s team captured victories against Chicago (165-123) and Denison (151-149), but fell to Northwestern, 211-89. The women’s team earned a victory over Chicago, 181-116, but came up short versus Northwestern, 206.5-90.5, and Denison, 159-140.

“We had some great racing for this early in the season, but need to focus on our depth,” head coach Tim Loeffler said. “Our team is learning with each race what is needed to succeed this year.”

In her first career collegiate meet, freshman Lexie Joy grabbed second-place finishes in the 200 free (1:52.42), 100 free (52.45) and 200 IM (2:08.43). Sophomore Sophia Shalabi finished second in the 100 breast (1:04.85) and senior Jocelyn Langballe touched the wall second in the 200 back (2:06.09).

Senior Christian Grobe netted two first-place finishes for the men’s squad in the 100 breast (58.97) and 200 breast (2:07.34). Senior Ryota Kuwahara and junior Nicholas Kowaleski captured second-place finishes in the 200 fly (1:56.58) and 200 free (1:43.47), respectively.

On the boards in the three-meter dive, Tyler Pastore scored a team high 254.25. Katy Knight led the way for the women’s team with a score of 190.65.

UIC will be back in the pool at 6 p.m. Friday for the home opener against Olivet Nazarene.