Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Swimming & Diving set for home opener
11/10/2005 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 10, 2005
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University swimming & diving team comes home after being on the road for its first two meets of the 2005-06 season. The teams are set to host Drury University Saturday, Nov. 12.
Both Saluki teams are off to a good start this season after facing some tough competition. The men's team (3-1) has wins over Evansville, Louisville and nationally-ranked Wisconsin with its lone loss coming against Indiana.
Though the women's team (1-3) only has one win, the Salukis scored well against and came close to winning against Louisville and nationally-ranked Indiana.
SIU Head Swimming & Diving Coach Rick Walker hopes that the success from last week's meet against Louisville, Indiana and Wisconsin carries over to this week and the rest of the season.
"I think the success from last week will probably have more of an impact over the whole season as opposed to any immediate impact. I think it confirmed some confidence levels, maybe boosted some other confidence levels," said Walker.
The Salukis will not have an easy task ahead of them against visiting Drury. Though the team competes at the NCAA Division II level, it is one of the most highly-respected D-II teams.
Since 1997, the men's and women's teams have combined to win seven NCAA Division II National Championships and finish runner-up 10 times.
"Drury is as good a D-II program as any D-I program. There have been years that they have knocked us off, Missouri, Northwestern. They beat everybody they swam and they were all very good D-I programs. They are a very solid team," said Walker.
SIU faced Drury last season, with each team taking away a win. The Saluki women's team easily handled Drury, winning 149-94 while the men lost a close one, 126.5-116.5.
"I think the guys have it a little tougher because Drury's men's team has some really good athletes. And, on the women's side, I think we are a little bit stronger. But, we are going to have to perform in order to win," said Walker.
Walker feels that the team has turned a corner in its training and getting into a cycle that allows the team to be rested and prepared for the weekend. But, even with the improved training, he still sees room for the team to progress and get better.
"I would like to see some more improvements like we have had. We need to see consistency, but there are some areas that I would like to se some continual improvement if we are going to be better later on," said Walker.
With this weekend's meet being the home opener, Walker believes that the team will be excited to swim in front of a home crowd as it enters the fourth week of the season.
"I think they rise to the occasion and want to be better at home. This is their house," said Walker.
Action is set to begin at 2 p.m., Saturday at the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium at the SIU Rec Center.
