UIC's Booher Qualifies for U.S. Summer National

July 29, 2004

Chicago, Ill.- The swimming and diving season doesn't officially begin until October 23rd, but one athlete from the University of Illinois at Chicago already looks to be in midseason form.

Sophomore Blake Booher (Barrington, Ill./Barrington H.S.) raced to an outstanding 23.69 in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2004 Summer Speedo Champions Series in Minneapolis this past weekend, earning a qualifying berth at the United States Summer National Swimming Championships in Palo Alto, California on Saturday, August 7th.

Booher, racing for the Palatine Park District club team, used a preliminary time of 23.93 to get into the finals, where he jetted to a second place finish and a qualifying spot for the national championships.

Booher became the first UIC athlete to qualify for the event since Paul Torres accomplished the feat two years ago.

"It's good to see a UIC athlete compete at the national level," said UIC Head Coach Paul Moniak.

Moniak was pleased with Booher's accomplishment and believes the summer success of one of the Flames' fastest freestylers will give the entire team a boost of energy heading into the 2004-05 season opener against Eastern Illinois.

"It gives our season a great jump start," said Moniak.