For Immediate Release
January 12, 2005

Three Maroons Named UAA Athletes of the Week

Chicago -- Three University of Chicago winter sport athletes have been recognized as the University Athletic Association Athletes of the Week, the conference announced today.

Senior Sean Barnes (Wheaton, Ill./ Wheaton-Warrenville South), senior Northe Saunders (Belfast, Maine/ Belfast), and freshman Aparna Hirve (Burke, Va./ Jefferson Science & Math) were cited in wrestling, men's swimming, and women's indoor track & field, respectively.

Barnes garnered his first career UAA Athlete of the Week award after claiming the heavyweight title at the Cornell (Iowa) College Matman Invitational on Jan. 8. The second seed, Barnes won three matches on the day, beginning with a fall in the opening contest and ending with a 3-2 decision over top-seeded Bryan Morgan of Millikin University in the title bout.

Saunders won two individual events and was a member of a pool record-setting relay team as Chicago defeated Olivet College 126.5-109.5 in dual meet competition on Jan. 8. Saunders -- who earned UAA weekly accolades for the second time this year and the fourth time during his career -- won the 200- and 500-yard freestyle (1:45.11, 4:51.35) and helped the Maroons post a time of 1:39.55 in the 200-yard medley relay.

Hirve established a school record in the triple jump at the Jan. 8 Chicago Pentangular with a distance of 10.93 meters. A first-time UAA Athlete of the Week recipient, she was also the runner-up in the high jump with a mark of 1.53 meters.