Swimming and Diving Begins Busy Week at No. 19 Arkansas

Jan. 20, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas (8-2) swimming and diving will face its first Top 25 foe and host its first home meet since the fall this weekend. KU will travel to No. 19 Arkansas for a Thursday afternoon dual scheduled for 4 p.m. The Jayhawks will then host South Dakota and Northern Iowa for a triangular meet at Robinson Natatorium on Saturday at 3 p.m.

In Kansas’ road victory against Nebraska, KU was led by senior Danielle Herrmann who claimed first place in three events, the 200-yard IM, 200 and 100-yard breaststroke. KU escaped with the victory despite losing the first three events, and not winning a relay.

“I thought we were lucky to get out of Nebraska with a win,” said Kansas head coach Clark Campbell. “We did not swim that well. Divers pulled it out again. We had a third of the team that did well, a third of the team that was average and a third of the team that was below average. Nebraska was very motivated and they had their finest dual meet of the year. So, I tip the cap to them, but I do feel fortunate to get out of there with a win.”

KU, winners of six-straight duals, will face perhaps its toughest test of the season at Arkansas. Arkansas (8-1) has won its last eight duals, including an 18-point victory over No. 23 Missouri on January 10. The Razorbacks also hold victories over Kentucky, No. 14 SMU, LSU and Vanderbilt.

“They have done a great job,” said Campbell. “Their coaching staff has done a great job of turning their program around. They’re legit and a top-20 team. They are well coached and are doing well in arguably the best swimming conference in the country, the SEC. We can go down there and compete with them though.”

The Jayhawks will host its first home dual-meet on Saturday for the first time since its November 8 victory over Evansville. The South Dakota Coyotes and Northern Iowa Panthers will provide the competition. South Dakota has a 1-5 record, but holds a 160-134 victory against Northern Iowa. Northern Iowa is 0-5.

“This weekend we’re going to be able to do some different things with our lineup,” said Campbell. “We’re going to get some of our swimmers doing their third events that they don’t get to do too much. It will be good because we’ll be able to manipulate our lineup a little bit on Saturday.”

Please check back with kuathletics.com for the results following this weekend’s action.