Swimming and Diving Returns to Action in Miami

Jan. 7, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas (5-2) swimming and diving returns to the water for the first time in over a month this weekend in South Florida as they face Florida International and Miami. The Jayhawks, currently receiving votes, will face FIU on Friday at 5 p.m. KU will follow that dual with a Saturday afternoon competition against Miami at 1 p.m.

Kansas’ last action was in Gambier, Ohio at the Kenyon Invitational December 4-6. The Jayhawks won the three-day event in dominating fashion, outscoring the second-place finisher, Kenyon College, by 450 points.

“We’re looking forward to getting an opportunity to race very good teams and train outside which is always a treat,” said Kansas head coach Clark Campbell. “The meets will be separated by less than 24 hours and will be different because of the different events. The FIU dual will be a more traditional 16-event dual with longer events, while the Miami dual will focus on the shorter events.”

The FIU Golden Panthers are fresh off a second-place finish in last weekend’s FIU Invitational. FIU finished ahead of American University and Carnegie Mellon in the relay-only meet. Earlier in the fall, FIU fell to Miami 197-122 in an October dual.

“Miami is going to be very tough,” said Campbell. “Our divers will have a great opportunity. Two of their three divers scored at the NCAA Championships last year. In the swimming pool, they’ve improved a lot. Miami is especially strong in distance free events.”

Miami, 8-4, is opening 2009 against Kansas. The Hurricanes’ last action was in Columbus, Ohio at the Ohio State Invitational on December 5-7. Miami finished in fifth place with 371 points. Miami’s top dual victory of the season was a 147-124 victory at Georgia Tech.

Following this weekend’s duals, KU will be back in action at Nebraska on January 17 and at Arkansas on January 22. Kansas’ next home meet will be Jan. 24 against South Dakota and Northern Iowa in a triangular dual.