After a nine-day holiday trip to train at the University of California-Irvine, the Aces are ready to begin the 2008 portion of the season.  The Aces will travel to Indianapolis for the House of Champions Relays on Tuesday and then to Terre Haute for a duel meet with Rose-Hulman before returning home.

For the UE women, Christina Schmidgall is at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference leaderboard for the 1000 free (10:35.89) and 1650 free (17:36.45). She just missed a UE school record for the 1000 free (10:35.37) set by Kim Dodson (’00-01). Schmidgall is also in the top five in the 200 free and 500 free. Kristyn Benter won the 100 free for the Aces.

For the men, Zach Brown is the team leader in the 50 free (21.27), 100 free (46.49), 200 free (1:44.03). Brown’s time for the 100 free is ninth best in the Sun Belt Conference. Josh Fletcher, Andy Balczo, Geoff Keller and Jared Thompson all rank in the top ten of the Sun Belt in the one meter and three meter diving scores.

The House of Champions Relays will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Wednesday’s meet at Rose-Hulman is set to start at 6 p.m.