Razorbacks host first meet of spring Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After a month off, the No. 22 University of Arkansas swimming and diving squad will be back in the pool on Saturday when the Razorbacks (6-1, 2-1) host No. 23 Missouri and fellow SEC foe Kentucky at the Arkansas Natatorium.Many of the Razorback swimmers have not competed since the Minnesota U.S. Grand Prix Nov. 14-16 in Minneapolis, Minn. At the meet, three of Arkansas’ swimmers broke four school records. Leah Pierce set records in both the 100 and 200 breast, with times of 1:02.74 and 2:10.96, respectively. Katie Kastes took over the top spot in the 200 IM with a time of 1:59.86, breaking the previous record set in 1990 by Stacey Benesch. Kastes now holds six Arkansas records (200 free, 500 free, 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 IM, 400 IM). Junior Lynette Ng broke her first Arkansas record in the 100 back, touching in at 55.55.

Arkansas’ four divers last traveled to the Tiger Invitational Dec. 5-7 in Columbia, Mo., where senior Madison Palmer won the one-meter springboard with a score of 289.75. Freshman Liana Bugslag, competing in her first collegiate platform event, scored a 240.25, placing second in the event and qualifying for Zone Diving Championships.

Although history is on the Razorbacks’ side when facing Mizzou, the Razorbacks are 12-6 lifetime against the Tigers, Arkansas has not beaten Missouri in a dual meet since its 134-108 victory in 1994. Last season the Razorbacks lost a heartbreaker in Columbia, falling 149-151 to the then No. 18 Tigers.

Against Kentucky, Arkansas has not fared as well, only winning one of the teams’ 11 dual meetings, the lone win coming in 1992 when the Razorbacks downed the Wildcats 131-112.

The teams dive in at 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon at the Arkansas Natatorium. The meet will also feature a dual between the No. 24 Kentucky Wildcat and the No. 22 Missouri Tiger men’s teams. For updated results and for complete coverage of Razorback swimming and diving, log onto ArkansasRazorbacks.com.