NEWARK, Del. - Highlighted by four home competitions, including a non-conference tri-meet, the 2008-09 University of Delaware swimming and diving schedule was announced today by head coach John Hayman.

Last season, Hayman (at right) led the men's swimming team to a program-best third-place showing at the Colonial Athletic Association meet. Delaware took home three conference titles as the 200- and 400-freestyle relay teams won their events while Andrew Zinn earned the 100-yard freestyle crown.

The men's and women's teams will kick off the 2008-09 campaign and open up the newly-renovated Rawstrom Natatorium on October 11th at 1 p.m. when they host CAA rival George Mason.

The following week, on October 17th, Delaware will hold its annual Alumni Meet at 6 p.m. before heading out on the road for the first time. On October 31-November 1, the team will participate in a CAA Pod Meet along with UNC Wilmington and Towson at George Mason.

After a week off, Delaware returns home for a tri-meet when the team welcomes LaSalle and Rider to the Carpenter Sports Building on November 15 at 1 p.m. Two weeks later, the Hens travel to the Loyola College Invitational where they will be joined by Marist and Villanova.

Delaware remains on the road to start the New Year when the team takes on Towson on January 10th at 1 p.m. before heading to Drexel on January 17th to battle the Dragons at 2 p.m.

The Blue Hens will wrap up their home slate on January 24th when they host William & Mary at 1 p.m. Four days later, the team will conclude its regular season by taking on Widener College in a swimming-only meet on January 28th at 6 p.m.

The Colonial Athletic Association swimming & diving championships will be held on February 25th-28th at George Mason in Fairfax, Va.

AGATE:

2008-09 University of Delaware Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Schedule:

October 11, *George Mason, 1 p.m.; 17, Alumni Meet, 6 p.m.; 31-1, at George Mason with *UNC Wilmington and *Towson.

November 15, LaSalle and Rider, 1 p.m.

December 5-6, at Loyola with Marist (M/W) and Villanova (M), TBA.

January 10, at *Towson, 1 p.m.; 17, at Drexel, 2 p.m.; 24, *William & Mary, 1 p.m.; 28, at Widener (swimming only), 6 p.m.

February 25-28, Colonial Athletic Association Championships at George Mason, Fairfax, Va.