Frog women ready to make splash in first meet of season
By Chad Murray
Skiff Staff

The women’s swimming and diving teams will kick off the 2002-2003 season with a trip to Dallas and a meet against rival and perennially strong Southern Methodist at 5 p.m. today.

Eleven of last year’s 15 players are returning to the squad, including junior standout Erin Irons. Irons holds five school records, including the 100-meter freestyle (51.33) and the 200-meter freestyle (1:51.36). The squad welcomes 11 newcomers as well.

Coming off a 10-3 record and a third place finish in Conference USA last year, there is no lack of confidence from head coach Richard Sybesma and his squad.

“Our definite goal for our women’s team is to win the conference championship,” Sybesma said. “We have a large team and a lot of depth, and that is something our program has really been lacking in recent years.”

“We are definitely going to try to win conference this year,” added senior swimmer Kate Swearingen.

Because of renovations to the Recreation Center, the swimming and diving teams have been forced to practice off campus for a second consecutive semester. Sybesma was quick to discount any effect this might have on the team.

“It is somewhat of an inconvenience, but our kids have not looked at it as a disadvantage at all,” Sybesma said. “They have dealt with the transition very well.”

Swearingen said it has become part of their routine.

“It’s a minor inconvenience,” Swearingen said. “We had to deal with it last semester, too, so everyone is used to it by now.”

Sybesma said he wants the Frogs to be the elite program in Conference USA, and that he likes opening the season against the Mustangs, who have garnered national recognition.

“SMU has traditionally been a top-10 team,” Sybesma said. “I think opening the season against SMU is going to give us a good idea of where we are right now in our training.”

After their opening meet against the Mustangs, the women’s team looks to begin its C-USA campaign in the right direction, with key meets against conference foes Louisville and Cincinnati next week in Kentucky before returning to Texas for a match-up with North Texas in Denton.

The men will join the women to compete as a full squad for the first time on Nov. 1 against Louisville.