Utica, NY (10-25-12) – The Utica College men and women swim and dive teams are set to kick off the 2012-2013 season Saturday as it hosts Empire 8 rival Hartwick College.

Time & Place: The meet will be held at the Utica College Pool of Champions and is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.  The facility features a 10-lane, 25-yard by 6-lane, 25-meter pool, 1-meter diving board, and balcony seating for 185.

UC Women: The women went 2-7 last season including an 0-2 mark against Empire 8 competition.  Seniors Michelle Allen (Canton, MA/Canton) and Sarah Parker (Dover, NH/Dover) make up the senior class and will be the leaders for the young women's roster.  The team will welcome back three sophomores including Amy Dumary (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) while also welcoming seven freshman to their first collegiate meet.

Pioneer Men: Last season, the men went 2-6 overall while 0-2 in the E8 action.  UC will look to senior's Jordan Jackson, Scott Wanner, and Rob Babcock to step up and lead the way in their final campaigns.  Sophomores Kaleb Bright, Anthony Farber, Omar Renta and Tyler Hickey will compete in the second year campaigns and have an impact in the lanes while freshman Raphael Warnon will join the squad and is expected to have an immediate impact in the pool.

The Hawk Report: The Hartwick men and women are currently 2-0 overall following two convincing wins over Cazenovia and the College of St. Rose, in the season-opener. Last season, the men finished with an impressive 16-1 overall record while the women compiled a 14-3 mark with both teams going undefeated (9-0) at home. Four men Hawks earned All-American status last season after impressive performances at the 2012 NCAA Division III Championships.

Back in the Pool: Following opening weekend, UC hits the road for three consecutive meets.  The teams will head to Geneva, NY on Nov. 3rd for a three-way meet with William Smith and Cazenovia before traveling to Wells College on Nov. 10th and then Skidmore College on Nov. 17th.