Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Swimming & Diving travels to Purdue Invitational
11/17/2005 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 17, 2005
By Matt Crouch
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - After wins last weekend at home against Drury University, the #1-ranked NCAA Division II team in the country, the Southern Illinois University swimming & diving teams hit the road this weekend for one of its toughest meets of the season.
The Salukis will travel to West Lafayette, Ind. for the Purdue Invitational. The meet begins Friday morning with the first round of preliminaries, and concludes Sunday, Nov. 20.
The Saluki men (4-1) will face the toughest competition as it will go up against four teams ranked in the top 25. Leading the pack is #7-ranked Florida, followed by #13-ranked Northwestern. Host university Purdue is ranked #14 while Missouri comes in ranked #24 in the nation.
The six-team field does not get easier beyond that as SIU will also face 2005 Missouri Valley Conference Invitational champion Missouri State. The Bears are currently ranked #1 in the mid-major top-25; the Salukis are ranked #21 in the mid-major poll.
The women's team (2-3) will not have an easier task as three teams in the seven-team field are currently ranked in the top 25.
Florida again comes in on top with its #4 ranking, followed by #17 Tennessee. Host Purdue is also ranked as the Boilermakers come in at #21.
The women also face MVC-rival and 2005 MVC Champion Missouri State. The Bears are currently ranked #7 in the mid-major top 25 poll.
SIU will also compete against Missouri and Northwestern at the three-day meet.
Action is set to begin at 10 a.m., Friday at the Boilermaker Aquatic Center in West Lafayette, Ind.
Live results from all six sessions of the Purdue Invitational can be found here.
