Cleveland State Set to Host League Swimming, Diving Championships

INDIANAPOLIS –Cleveland State will host the 2011 Horizon League Swimming and Diving Championships,  Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Saturday, Feb 26. Live final event coverage will be available on www.horizonleague.com, provided by the Horizon League Network. Nightly recaps will be available on the site throughout the meet.

The 2011 event takes place in the Robert F. Busbey Natatorium. Six men’s programs and eight women’s programs will battle for the League titles.

The men’s competition could come down to defending champion Milwaukee and Cleveland State. They each hold eight of the top times in the League. Green Bay’s Daniel Pogue has both top diving scores.

Milwaukee is led by Jake Kalinowski, Matt Kluczinke and Sam Keele who each hold a top time in the league. The Panthers’ relay teams also have top times except in the 400 Medley Relay, which is led by UIC. Cleveland State is anchored by Mark deSwardt who leads the Vikings in four different events.  Vikings Justin Kermack, Zvonimir Androic and Deni Gasparin also own league best times.

On the women’s side, Green Bay looks to continue its six-year streak as Horizon League champion. The Phoenix will rely on their 800 Freestyle Relay team which broke a Horizon League record this season as well as Deanna DeGrand, the Horizon League 1000 Freestyle top performer. Milwaukee Panthers hold four top times, while the host Vikings hold 11 top times in the league and also set a Horizon League record in the 400 Freestyle Relay (3:24.51). Milwaukee is led by last year’s swimmer of the year, Danielle Wenger, while Cleveland State is paced by sophomores  Alice Sommerville and Joanna Olsson.