Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving Compete At Northwestern Invite
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Nov. 20, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University men's and women's swimming and diving teams 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 women (2-4) will look to improve on last season's third place finish in the championship format event against host Northwestern and Illinois.
"It's our last competition of the first semester. Northwestern has a great pool and the competition will be good. It's perfect for us because these programs are where we want to be in the future. This meet will let us know where we stand. I look for new season-best times from our athletes. It's just like a conference meet with a championship format," said Jeff Goelz, SIU women's swimming and diving head coach.
Goelz adds that swimming against the two most recognized Illinois schools provides some added incentive for the team, but it will still be a tough meet against the two Big Ten schools.
"We want to do well. Illinois is a good swimming state and we recruit some of the same kids. Having a good performance may convince some Illinois kids to stay in the state and swim with us. Northwestern and Illinois are both strong all around. We'll just have to do the best we can. We're deeper in the distances like the 500 free, the mile, the distance freestyles, 200 back and the 400 IM. We'll have to swim well in the other areas to compete."
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."