BROOKLYN, N.Y.- The LIU Brooklyn women's swimming team will dive back into competition this weekend, crossing the Hudson River to take on two schools at the Monmouth Tri-Meet. The Blackbirds will face off against the host Hawks and Saint Peter's University, Saturday, January 20 at 1:00 p.m. at the Hawks' natatorium in West Long Branch, N.J.

TRAINING CAMP EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
The Blackbirds came back to campus this week after training down in Deerfield Beach, Florida during the January break. "This was one of the best training trips I've ever been a part of," LIU head coach Matt Donovan said. "As a staff, we had many goals for the team and they met all of them. Our team actually exceeded our expectations in the pool. Besides that, this opportunity really pulled this group together as a team. We're bonding together as a team and that will benefit us in and out of the pool as we re-enter competition."

LAST TIME OUT

• Before the winter break, the Blackbirds' had their most noteworthy result in the last meet of the calendar year. LIU finished in fourth place at the ECAC Championships, in the team's first appearance in the multi-day event.
• At the ECAC's, the Blackbirds won two gold, four silvers and two bronze medals. Junior Briana Vega won the 50 freestyle, tying the ECAC Championship meet record in 23.45. That time currently stands atop the NEC rankings as well, heading into the second half of the season.
• Team captain Milly Furneaux also won individual gold in the 200 breaststroke at the ECAC meet. Her 2:19.44 time is the second fastest in the NEC this year. Furneaux also picked up a silver medal in the 100 breaststroke.
• Freshmen Amanda Peren and Jeanne Touchette-McGowan also had big results in the backstroke: Peren earned a silver medal in the 100 back and bronze in the 200, while Touchette-McGowan took the silver medal in the 200 back.
• LIU also placed two relays on the medal stand - the 400 medley relay (second place) and the 400 freestyle relay (third).

• Last year, LIU Brooklyn, Monmouth and Saint Peter's competed in Jersey City with the Blackbirds beating both teams in the tri-meet. This season, the Peacocks enter the weekend at 1-6 in dual meets, while the Hawks are off to a 1-8 mark.
• "This time last year this meet really kicked things off for us, so we're hoping for more of the same," said Donovan. "The team can't wait to get back on the blocks and make the final push towards championship season."
• The Blackbirds will go over the Verrazano Bridge again next Saturday, January 27, to face NEC opponent Wagner in Staten Island for a 1:00 meet, as they venture back into league action.