No. 20 Hogs host Drury on Senior Day

November 6, 2014

FAYETTEVILLE – The 20th-ranked Arkansas swimming and diving team (8-2, 2-1) hosts Division II powerhouse Drury on Senior Day for the Hogs dual season finale on Saturday, Jan. 29 at noon.

Drury, currently ranked No. 1 in the DII polls, has only won three of its 19 meetings with the Razorbacks. Arkansas has won each of the last 10 duals with the Cougars. Over the weekend, Drury knocked off fellow Division II power Truman State by sweeping the Bulldogs 148-57.

"We love competing against Drury," head coach Jeff Poppell said. "They always represent a very strong opponent for us. They might not necessarily possess the depth that we do, but in terms of their best athletes, they will be sure to pose formal competition for our girls."

The No. 20 Razorbacks blew past the Cougars of Houston with a final score of 153-90 at the Arkansas Natatorium last Friday when Liz Braun picked up a career-best time of 2:03.69 in the 200 butterfly, good for second place. Sophomore Kelsea Vance and senior Gina Bargiachi also earned a career-best times in the 200 back. Vance stopped the clock at 2:07.71 while Bargiachi clocked 2:14.52.

The UA divers will have the uncommon chance to showcase their platform dives in preparation for the Southeastern Conference Championships Feb. 11-13 in Gainesville, Fla.

"The opportunity for our divers to compete on the platform in front of spectators is a great way to help them prepare for conference," diving coach Dale Schultz said.

Prior to the start of the swimming events, Bargiachi along with Ashley Largo, Jamie Marks, Erin Neumann, Erica Totten and Maddie Fogel will be honored for Senior Day at their last home dual meet of their Razorback careers.

After the regular-season finale, the Hogs set their focus on the SEC Championships in Gainesville, Fla. The divers will take to the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Natatorium first and compete from Feb. 11-13, while the swimmers prepare in Fayetteville. Feb. 16-19 will begin the swimmers turn in the pool for the 2011 SEC Championships.