Arkansas swimming and diving travels to Georgia

FAYETTEVILLE –The University of Arkansas swimming and diving team travels to Athens, Ga., to take on No. 8 Georgia and back-to-back Division III Champion Emory University in a double-dual meet Friday. “I’m excited about the opportunity to swim at the University of Georgia on Friday,” said head coach Jeff Poppell. “It should be a great meet against some great competition from both schools.” The Lady’Backs return to the pool having seen consistent improvement week to week. Arkansas turned in 22 individual best times after just three meets, 11 of which came in their last meet against LSU. “The topic of our team meeting after LSU was not to get complacent, not to be satisfied with our performances up to this date,” said Poppell. “We want to continue to keep getting better and continue to set the bar higher.” Junior Emily Gregory raised her performance last meet posting a time of 55.64 in the 100 butterfly, which is the second fastest time in the Southeastern Conference this year. “There are individuals that will be able to step up and compete this weekend, but as a team I think it’s very important for us to continue focusing on just racing and competing and let the times speak for themselves,” Poppell said. Senior Mariann Fulop has consistently improved and led the Lady’Backs, setting three career-best times against LSU and winning seven straight races this season. She has three wins in the 200 backstroke, two in the 100 backstroke, one in the 200 individual medley and one in the 400 IM. Georgia leads the all-time series versus Arkansas 2-0, while the Lady Razorbacks compete against Emory for the first time Friday. Georgia comes off of a win against No. 10 Michigan while Emory placed first in their last invitational at Carnegie Mellon. “Georgia is Georgia, one of the best teams in the country, but we do expect our athletes to compete,” said Poppell. “If everybody is focused more on their individual improvement and getting better, then hopefully it will take away some of the focus on who it is we’re actually racing against.” Poppell swam for the University of Georgia from 1988-92 under current head coach Jack Bauerle. He was a two-time NCAA qualifier, and recipient and honoree of the team’s Jeff Poppell Award for Leadership and Overall Contribution. For more information about Arkansas swimming and diving, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.