Swimming schedule released

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Featuring several familiar foes and the reigning Southeastern Conference Champions, the 2009-10 University of Arkansas swimming and diving schedule, announced today, promises another exciting season for Razorbacks.

“This year’s schedule will pose a strong challenge to our team,” head Razorbacks coach Jeff Poppell said. “We have several opponents who finished in the National Top 25 last year in either the College Swimming Coaches Association Final Dual Meet Standings or the Division I NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. By the time we reach the SEC Championships in February, our kids will be battle-tested and hopefully ready for the intensity and competitiveness of the fastest conference championship in the country."

The Razorbacks kick off the season Oct.17 with an SEC meet in Lexington, Ky. against the Kentucky Wildcats, whom the Razorbacks defeated last season in Fayetteville, 159-134.

Returning home, the Razorbacks host a dual meet with the 2009 SEC Champion Florida Gators and Kansas. Arkansas beat the Jayhawks last season, 165-135 at the Arkansas Natatorium. Vanderbilt visits Fayetteville the following week.

For the second consecutive season, the Razorbacks will travel to Minneapolis, Minn. for the Minnesota Grand Prix, Nov. 13-15, rounding out their fall schedule.

“We open up our season on the road against a tough SEC opponent Kentucky,” Poppell said. “It doesn’t get any easier from there as we come back to Fayetteville for a double dual home opener against this past year’s SEC Champion and national powerhouse Florida and midwest rival Kansas. After another home SEC matchup against Vanderbilt, we will finish the fall at the Minnesota U.S. Grand Prix which will feature host team Minnesota, regularly ranked in the Top 10 nationally.”

The winter schedule begins with a trip to the Georgia Diving Invitational, Jan. 3-5 followed by a trip to Columbia, Mo. to take on the Missouri Tigers who were ranked No. 23 when they came to Fayetteville last season, losing to the then-No. 22 Razorbacks, 159-141.

The regular season closes with a home meet against Utah, Jan. 30.

“The second half of our schedule consists of two great home meets,” Poppell said. We have an exciting dual meet with quickly improving North Texas and our first competition at home against the University of Utah which made several appearances in last year’s National Top 25 rankings. Our lone road competition in January will be against always tough Missouri which will boast its new recruiting class ranked as one of the best in the country. This year’s strong schedule will sure to test the character and competitiveness of our young team."

Trips to the NCAA Last Chance Invite and Austin Grand Prix come during postseason, following the SEC Championships, Feb. 17-20.

All meet times are to be determined.

For more information about Arkansas swimming and diving, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.