MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee swimming & diving teams officially kick off the 2018 portion of their schedules this Saturday at the Myers-McLoraine Pool for a dual meet against University Chicago beginning at 1 p.m.
 
Back from their annual training trip to Florida, the Panthers return to competitive action for the first time since the Miami Invitational in early December. Here are five things to know as the Panthers prepare to take on the Maroons.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Senior Sara Bentley highlighted the Miami Invitational with a school-record an NCAA B-cut time of 54.64 in the 100-yard backstroke. Bentley wrapped up the invite with two event wins, and notched a second-place finish in the 200-yard IM.
 
SCOUTING THE MEET
Chicago is coached by 12-year vet Jason Weber with a 46-30 (men's) and 54-24 (women's) ledger. On the men's side, the team has combined for a 1-5 dual meet record with a first-place finish at the Phoenix Fall Classic. The women garner a 4-3 record while also finishing first at the 12-team Phoenix Fall Classic.
 
At the Phoenix Fall Classic, the teams combined for 31 NCAA B-cut marks, five new school records and two new pool records. 12 total events were won at the event – eight on the women's side and four on the men's.
 
MAKING THE TURN INTO THE HOME STRETCH
The team's training trip to Florida serves as the unofficial start of championship season. In other words, It's time to lay it all out there.
 
Milwaukee will follow their meet against the Maroons by competing home versus Green Bay seven days later. Following their lone home meet of the new year, the Panthers will travel to Stevens Point on Feb. 2. From there, Milwaukee will have about two weeks to prepare for the Horizon League Championships.
 
HISTORY OF SUCCESS
Milwaukee just missed another Horizon League Championship last February at the league meet, taking second on the women's side for the fourth-straight year.
 
In all, UWM has won seven Horizon League titles in swimming & diving in program history. Milwaukee has been crowned league champs on the men's side four times (1999-2000, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12) and three times on the women's side (2000-2001, 2011-12, 2012-13).
 
Additionally, the Panthers have claimed an outstanding 17 team trophies (first or second) at the league meet since the move to Division I in 1990, with 13 of those trophies coming in the last eight years.
 
HOME SWEET HOME
After being on the road for much of the season, the Panthers will finally swim in familiar waters on Saturday, Jan. 27 against conference foe Green Bay. The teams will celebrate 11 seniors on the day – nine on the women's side and two on the men's side.