Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Swimming and Diving opens regular season at Evansville
10/02/2015 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After two weeks of inter-squad meets in preparation, the Saluki swimming and diving teams are set to open the regular season this weekend in a dual meet against Evansville.
Both SIU's men's and women's teams have opened the regular season against Evansville every year for since 2012. In that time, the Salukis have gone undefeated against Evansville in the season-opening swim.
"I want to see our teams come out and be engaged in what's happening in the pool and be in tune with not only taking care of their own business, but helping somebody out who might be struggling with theirs," head coach Rick Walker said.
This year's teams return experience and success, with four 2015 conference champions on the men's side and seven for the women. Fifteen newcomers for the Salukis, eight on the men's side and seven for the women, will give SIU more depth going into the season.
"Our new kids are figuring out that the difference between high school and college is that in college you have to be fast all the time. I think they're learning how to do that and are doing a good job," Walker said. "Our returners, on the other hand, are experienced in this, and are just shaking off the cobwebs and trying to get going again."
This weekend's competition will begin this afternoon at 4 p.m. with the diving portion of the meet. The swimming portion of the meet will begin on Saturday at 11 a.m., and will feature only relays, such as the 400 and 200 freestyle relays.
Last year, SIU was strong in both categories, diving and relays, coming away with three diving conference titles (Kaixuan ‘Sherry' Zhang– 1-meter and 3-meter dives; Kegan Skelton – 1-meter dive) and two relays conference titles (women's 800 and 400 freestyle relays).
The focus this season, however, is finding areas where the Salukis can improve.
"We're looking at our weak spots, because the areas where we're strong, we're still strong," Walker said. "What we want is to be able to plug the hole in the dam and make it stop leaking. We have some areas where we're already strong, but we just want to be stronger."
Last season, SIU topped Evansville in the opening meet, winning 20 of 26 events. The Saluki women came away with 136 points compared to Evansville's 107, and them men topped Evansville, 181-59.
Following this weekend's meet, the Salukis will turn their attention to Missouri State, where they will compete Oct. 10.
