Arkansas competes at the SEC Championships
TUSCALOOSA, ALA. – The University of Arkansas swimming and diving team travels to the Alabama Aquatic Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the Southeastern Conference Championship Wednesday, Feb. 20 through Saturday, Feb. 23.
“We’ve looked great this week as we prepare for the SEC Championship,” said head coach Jeff Poppell. “The young ladies are motivated and fired up, and we’re excited for a great meet this week.”
The Lady Razorbacks have a tough championship ahead of them facing some of the best programs in the nation. Georgia sits at the top of the list, ranked first, followed by Florida at No. 3, Auburn at No. 5, Tennessee at No. 7 and LSU is ranked 17th. Arkansas received 38 votes towards the top 25 this past week. Kentucky is right behind the Lady’Backs with 29 votes.
“The SEC Championship meet is one of the fastest conference meets, if not the fastest conference meet in the country,” said Poppell. “Our goal this year is to equal or better our highest finish ever at an SEC Championship. We have an opportunity to break quite a few school records as well.”
Arkansas’ best finish at SEC’s is seventh in 2004. The Lady’Backs placed ninth in the last three championships.
The competition begins Wednesday with the 200 medley relay, one-meter diving and the 800 freestyle relay. Thursday, the Lady’Backs swim the 500 free, 200 individual medley, 50 free, and 200 free relay, and dive on the three-meter springboard. Friday, the championship continues with the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breaststroke, 100 back and 400 medley relay. Saturday closes competition with the 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, platform diving and the 400 free relay.
Prelims generally begin at 10 a.m. each day with finals starting at 6 p.m.
“At this point of the season, the work is behind us,” Poppell said. “We’re just tapering and resting, and putting the last minute touches on our strokes and our swims so that we can compete well this weekend.”
To see the SEC Championships webpage, please log on to www.rolltide.com. For a live stats link and more information about Arkansas swimming and diving, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.
