Saint Mary's will host its first MIAA Championship Feb. 10-12 when it hosts the MIAA Swimming Championships at the Rolfs Aquatic Center on Notre Dame's campus.

"It's a great honor to show the MIAA our commitment as well as our outstanding swimming facility," said Lynn Kachmarik, director of athletics. "We have a first-class meet as well as a great response from the community."

"For Saint Mary's, joining the MIAA was a huge step," said Gretchen Hildebrandt, swimming coach and assistant director of athletics. "Not only does it open the eyes of the MIAA to see our commitment to athletics, but it also fosters pride in our community."

Saint Mary's has been planning for the championships since it agreed to host them more than a year ago, according to Kachmarik.

"As a member of the MIAA for a second year," Hildebrandt said, "Saint Mary's is given the opportunity to host a first-class championship, and the schools are given a first class event."

"It is nice to be here with fans showing support," said Janel Miller, sophomore MIAA representative for Saint Mary's, "but it's mostly adrenaline."

"Hosting the MIAA championships here not only shows our commitment but it also shows that we're serious about staying," Miller said.

Saint Mary's hopes that the championships will draw a lot of fan support and show that Saint Mary's is a serious member of the MIAA.

"Everyone likes to rally behind an organization, and hopefully Saint Mary's will host championships in other sports," said Hildebrandt. "It shows how serious we are in competition."

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