Feb. 19, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis.- The Green Bay men's and women's swimming and diving teams are ready to compete in the 2008 Horizon League Championships this Wednesday through Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio. The Phoenix women have captured three consecutive league titles, while the men aim to improve upon their fifth-place finish at last year's event.

The women's relay squads are all among the top two teams in the Horizon League, with the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard medley relay teams owning the best marks in the conference this year.

Individually, junior Danielle DeGrand headlines the Phoenix. Last year, she was named the Horizon League Women's Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Year. This season, she boasts the league's top times in both the 100-yard backstroke and in the 200-yard individual medley. She also ranks second in the 200 back.

Several other Phoenix women have made key contributions to the team and should figure in the mix at the championships. In diving, senior Kari Helland is a four-time Diver of the Week, while in the pool, true freshman Shannon Demrow rates strong in the distance freestyle events and sophomore Ashley Warzon leads the way with the fastest 100-yard butterfly time in the Horizon League.

For the men's side, sophomore Alex Hill is among the league's best in the 500-yard freestyle and the 1000-yard freestyle. On the boards, junior Brandon Kuntz and senior Bobby Balow have each been honored as League Divers of the Week.

Live webstreaming of the finals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 5 p.m. (CT) will be available on www.horizonleaguenetwork.tv. For a complete meet schedule and updated results, please visit:

http://horizonleague.cstv.com/sports/c-swim/spec-rel/08-hori-c-swim-tourney.html