NEWARK, Del. -- Home meets against five Colonial Athletic Association opponents at Rawstrom Natatorium highlight the 2009-2010 University of Delaware men’s and women’s swimming and diving schedules announced Monday.

The Blue Hens, led by 21st year head coach John Hayman, will take part in 10 competitions during the season culminating with the annual CAA Championships to be held Feb. 24-27 at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

The Delaware men posted an 11-2 dual mark last season and placed third at the CAA championships for the second straight year while the UD women went 9-3 in dual action and finished sixth at the league championships for the second straight year.

The Delaware women will be led by 2009 NCAA Provisional Qualifier and CAA 500 freestyle and 1,650 freestyle runner-up Cortney Barry (at right).

Delaware will open the season with a Blue-Gold Intrasquad exhibition Oct. 3 followed by the regular season opener Oct. 17 at George Mason and a home Alumni Meet scrimmage on Oct. 30.

The Hens will close out the calendar year with a home CAA Pod Meet on Nov. 6-7 at Rawstrom as Delaware hosts UNC Wilmington, Towson, and Northeastern over two days. UNC Wilmington is the CAA defending champion on the men’s side while the Towson women captured last year’s CAA meet.

A three-way meet at LaSalle with Rider also competing will be held Nov. 14 and the Hens will travel to the annual Loyola College (Md.) H2Ounds Invitational Dec. 4-5.

After exam break, the Hens will take part in their annual training season in Florida in early January, including a dual meet Jan. 2 vs. an opponent to be determined, and will then return home to host CAA rivals Towson on Jan. 9 and Drexel for Senior Day Jan. 16.

The regular season will close Jan. 30 with a three-way meet at UMBC that also includes CAA foe William & Mary.

AGATE:

2009-2010 University of Delaware Men’s and Women’s Swimming Schedule:

October 3, Blue Gold Intrasquad Scrimmage), 11 a.m.; 17, at George Mason, 1 p.m.; 30, Alumni Meet (Scrimmage), 7 p.m.

November 6-7, CAA Pod Meet at Delaware (Delaware, UNC Wilmington, Towson, Northeastern), 5 p.m./9 a.m.; 14, at LaSalle w/Rider, 1 p.m.

December 4-5, Loyola College H2Ounds Invitational, tba

January 2, Florida Training; 9, vs. Towson, 1 p.m.; 16, vs. Drexel, 1 p.m. (Senior Day); 30, at UMBC w/William & Mary, 1 p.m.

February 24-27, Colonial Athletic Association Championships at McKay Natatorium, Fairfax, Va.