Swimmers ready for home opener against LSU

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas swimming and diving hosts its first of four regular-season home meets on Thursday, when the LSU Lady Tigers visit Fayetteville.

In the last dual meet between Arkansas and LSU, held in Fayetteville during the 2006-07 season, LSU walked away with the victory over Arkansas and first-year head coach Jeff Poppell, 168-132. Last season, Coach Poppell and his squad closed in on LSU, finishing 7th at SEC Championships with 229 points behind No.6 LSU who earned 238.5 points. On Thursday, the Hogs will look to better their 3-11 lifetime record against LSU with their first win over the Lady Tigers under Coach Poppell.

Off to a strong start in 2008-09, the Razorbacks placed first in five events in their season opener against No.10 Tennessee and Vanderbilt, including Jamie Marks’ win in the 400 IM with a time of 4:22.59, the third-fastest time in Arkansas history. Also at the meet, junior Leah Pierce made her presence known in her first meet with Arkansas since transferring from Purdue last year, finishing first in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:17.98, giving her the fourth-spot in the school record book.

The Razorbacks dive in at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Arkansas Natatorium on the University of Arkansas campus. For complete coverage of Razorbacks swimming and diving, log onto ArkansasRazorbacks.com.