Sept. 25, 2008

OXFORD, Ohio - PHOTO GALLERY

Coach Pete Lindsay's 24th Miami University men's swimming team continues practice sessions at the Nixon Aquatic Center, with the opening meet just over two weeks away.

Lindsay, who has 141 career dual meet victories at Miami, is just three wins away from tying the RedHawks' all-time winningest coach, Raymond Ray who compiled 144 victories from 1952-74.

Miami will be without graduated senior Paul Ricard who finished his college career with a long list of accomplishments, including being last year's MAC Conference Champion in the 500 free and the MAC and MAC/Sun Belt Champion in the 1650 free. Ricard was also named the MAC's Outstanding Senior Swimmer. In 26 races last season, he recorded just four losses and earned the most points for the RedHawks in competition with 270.

Senior diver Chris Heaton, Miami's most valuable diver in 2007-08, is perhaps the team's top returning performer. Heaton went undefeated last season in dual meet and championship competition in the three-meter dive, and lost just twice in the one-meter dive. At the NCAA Diving Regionals, he finished eighth in the three-meter event. Heaton also was named the MAC Diver of the Year. While competing in half of the number of events as his teammates, Heaton was still able to finish with the third-highest point total with 213.

Sophomore Darrin Smith received the Bill Mulliken Outstanding Freshman Award a year ago. Amongst his fellow freshmen, Smith scored the most points with 136 as he proved throughout the season to be a strong competitor in both the 1000 and 1650 freestyle events.

MIAMI'S 2008-09 SCHEDULE

10/11/08 vs. Evansville (2 p.m.)

10/25/08 vs. Xavier (1 p.m.)

10/31/08 vs. Purdue (5 p.m.)

11/07/08 at Kenyon

11/14/08 at Ohio State

11/15/08 Cleveland State/Notre Dame

12/04/08 Day 1 Miami Invitational

12/05/08 Day 2 Miami Invitational

12/06/08 Day 3 Miami Invitational

01/16/09 at Cincinnati

01/17/09 vs. Buffalo (5 p.m.)

01/31/09 at Eastern Michigan

02/06/09 vs. Ball State (5 p.m.)

02/19/09 Day 1 at Sun Belt Conference Championships

02/20/09 Day 2 at Sun Belt Conference Championships

02/21/09 Day 3 at Sun Belt Conference Championships

--www.MURedHawks.com--