Lady'Backs Preparing for Season
FAYETTEVILLE-After a month of practice the University of Arkansas swimming and diving team continues to prepare for the 2004-05 season. The Lady Razorbacks are spending time in the water this week training for the red-white meet on Saturday, Oct. 9. The Lady’Backs began practice Aug. 30. Head swimming coach Anne Goodman James said practices consisted of the fundamentals needed to build the foundation for a season that lasts five months. “The first month of practice had a lot more emphasis in the water on technique and in the weight room,” she said. “As we got in the pool we were building endurance and in the weight room we were increasing weight and strength.” Goodman James said the team started to focus on particular events since the upcoming season begins Oct. 22 in Fayetteville against Drury University. “This past week we have worked in training groups with specific endurance: sprint, middle distance and distance. It has consisted of more specificity and intensity in training.” The Lady’Backs welcomed 10 newcomers to the squad this season and Goodman James said the change has been dramatic. First-year Lady’Backs include Minnesota state champion Emily Gregory and Canadian divers Tori Kennedy and Jamie Hyslop. “For the freshmen, practices have been more challenging and a little beyond what they were ready for,” Goodman James said. “They have attacked the practices and we’re pleased with the work we’ve seen so far.” Goodman James said the freshmen are learning from the veteran leadership, which includes Olympic senior Zsuzsa Csobanki and two-time all-American senior Whitney Lynn. “I think the thing they like the best is having the upperclassmen to train with,” Goodman James said. “The upperclassmen show that with great work ethic what is possible to achieve in practice. The freshmen have responded and stepped up to the challenge.” The Lady’Backs first competition in the pool is 10 a.m. Saturday in the Arkansas Natatorium. For more information on Arkansas swimming and diving, log on to www.ladybacks.com.
