Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Swimming & Diving Competes At Northwestern Invite
11/20/2002 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 20, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University men's swimming and diving team will wrap up the fall semester at the Northwestern Invite on November 22-24. Northwestern University will host the annual event in Evanston, Ill. at the Norris Aquatics Center.
The SIU men (3-2) will face host Northwestern and nationally ranked Southern Methodist in the men's event. SIU finished third in the event last season and lost an earlier dual meet 71-42 to the #24 Mustangs on Nov. 9.
"Both of these schools are doing well. Northwestern had votes in the poll and it will be a good meet for us and great competition. For SIU it's a chance to swim as individuals and when we're done, we'll collect the points and see where we are. Our kids are rested and we expect them to swim faster than we have all year and make progress," said Rick Walker, SIU men's swimming and diving head coach.
Walker adds that swimming against two of the top 30 teams in the country will only help his team improve as well as help him prepare for the MVC meet.
"Anytime we can swim against competition like this, the better off we'll be later on. This will also let me know who to swim at the Missouri Valley Conference meet. I want everyone to pick up their performance level. We are strong across the board but will be without Brent Menghini (MVC 200 fly and 200 free champion) for the meet. We'll be ready for a break after a tough meet like this."
