Frogs take on big meet before break
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

Its been a rough go of it for the swimming and diving teams.

Not in competition, just in finding a place to practice.

With the renovations taking place in the University Recreation Center since last Christmas, the teams have been without a home for quite some time.

Head coach Richard Sybesma said the teams have dealt with traveling across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, training in adequate at best facilities with the limited resources to meet their needs.

It will all be over though after the Frogs compete in the Texas Invitational, starting today.

The invitational showcases some of the fiercest competition in the nation, and Sybesma said it will be exciting.

“This is going to be one of the fastest meets, or the fastest meet in the country,” Sybesma said. “Obviously the Texas men are going to be very good because they are the national champions from last year. Along with USC and Arizona, those will probably be the top three toughest teams on both sides.”

Despite its adverse practices, the team continues to show signs of success. Freshman divers Kelly Seely and Kelly McCain both are qualifiers for NCAA Zone D in qualifying.

Sybesma said sophomore swimmer Craig Chapman is also stepping up for the team and expects him to have a good meet.

He said the Texas Invitational could continue the success, for it is a place where the team generally steps up.

“In past years, we have had kids that made NCAA (times) out of this meet, and kids in relays that have ranked in the top 25 in the nation,” Sybesma said. “It helps to race against the best in the nation.”

Sybesma said the meet also helps in the Frogs’ effort to recruit top athletes.

“It does because we tell people that we compete against the best,” he said. “That is exactly what this meet has — the best in the nation.”

Danny Gillham
Skiff Staffer Jay Zuckerman contributed to this report.