The Florida Atlantic University men’s and women’s swim teams will begin their 2009-10 seasons on Friday, October 2, with a dual meet against in-state rival Florida State University in Tallahassee, before traveling to Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, October 3 to battle Georgia Tech, Western Kentucky University and the University of Alabama.

The FAU men’s team returns a core of key contributors from the 2008 squad which placed fifth in the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) 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 FAU women’s team finished in fourth place in the SBC championships in 2008, and returns four seniors heading into the 2009-10 season.  Michele Sandelin also was named the SBC’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 the 2008 SBC championships.

Source: FAU Media Relations