Nov. 8, 2002

MILWAUKEE - Josh Baseheart leads a host of Panther swimmers and divers in leading the Horizon League in the season's first event rankings, which were announced by the league today. Baseheart leads the league in the two-fastest freestyle swimming events, and is ranked in the top 50 in the nation in one of them.

Baseheart leads the league in the 50 and 100 freestyle, the latter coming with a difference of nearly a full second. Also in the 100 freestyle, Baseheart's time is the 33rd-fastest in the nation, according to CollegeSwimming.com.

In addition to Baseheart's national ranking, two Panther relay teams are also ranked in the top 50 in the country. The men's 400 freestyle relay team is ranked 30th in Division I, while the women's 400 medley relay team is ranked 46th in the nation.

Michael Belting also leads a pair of categories in the league, holding the top times in both the 500 freestyle and the 1000 freestyle. Other league leaders include Jason Procto in the 200 backstroke and the men's 400 and 800 freestyle relays. For the women, Amanda Chan leads the 200 breaststroke, as four Panther swimmers are in the top six in that event. Emily Holcomb leads the 100 backstroke, despite not having competed since Oct. 4 due to injury. The women's 400 medley relay is also tops in the league, while Krystina Herzog holds the top score in the women's 1m diving.

The Panthers will have two more chances to better their top marks this weekend, beginning Saturday with a three-way dual meet at UIC with Evansville and Northern Iowa. Sunday, the Panthers return home to face Western Kentucky in the Klotsche Center. Sunday's meet will start at noon.