Swimming and diving goes on the road to Kansas

FAYETTEVILLE – Off to a 3-1 start, the University of Arkansas swimming and diving team looks to continue its success Thursday on the road at Kansas. The Lady Razorbacks come off a pair of wins, taking down Denver and Utah last weekend. Their only loss was to No. 5 Georgia. The Lady’Backs have a tough meet ahead of them against an experienced Jayhawk squad. “We’re going to have our hands full this week,” said head coach Jeff Poppell. “I anticipate it being a very close meet and we have to compete very well with them. We’re excited about the challenge.” The Lady’Backs won seven events their last meet and had such a commanding lead that they exhibitioned the last two events. Senior Emily Gregory swept the butterfly events and junior Madison Palmer took top honors for the second meet in a row in diving. Kansas also won seven events in its last competition, but dropped a close meet to No. 20 Missouri. “Thursday is going to make for a great spectator meet, because a lot of the events Kansas is strong, those are our strengths as well,” Poppell said. “If you look at the best performances thus far for both teams, there might be tenths of a second separating our competitors versus there’s. We anticipate a very competitive meet, one that’s going to be very tough.” Arkansas is led this season by Palmer and freshman Katie Kastes who have four wins apiece. Gregory adds two victories. After just two meets, Kastes and freshmen Ashley Largo and Jamie Marks have already put their names in the school records. Kastes has the top spot in the 200 fly, Largo sits in third in the 1,000 free and Marks notched the fourth position in the 400 IM. The Lady’Backs dropped their last meet against Kansas 133-163 on Jan. 29, 2005. The Jayhawks also hold the advantage in the all-time series, 15-7. Kansas is the second of a five-meet road stretch for Arkansas, after which they face No. 23 Indiana at the Indiana Open, seventh-ranked Florida and No. 20 Missouri along with Missouri State. “We want to be recognized as one of the better programs in the country and these are the types of teams that are recognized nationally and will help get us there,” said Poppell. For more information about Arkansas swimming and diving, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.