The University of Miami women’s swimming & diving team will make the short trip to Fort Myers, Fla., for its final road meet of the spring against host FGCU Saturday, Jan. 21.
The Hurricanes, coming off a home loss to then-No. 10/21 Florida on Jan. 7, will take on the Eagles in a dual meet beginning at 12 p.m. at the FGCU Aquatics Center.
Miami’s men’s divers will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for a meet with host Alabama and Florida State.
“I’m expecting to see some great effort and some great fight, some great determination out of them,” head swimming coach Andy Kershaw said. “Their times on the board will be a little unknown with the transition – we’re transitioning our training focus, they’re transitioning back into classes and a different schedule – but I know they’re going to be a determined group that’s ready to put up a fight.”
Among the Hurricanes top performers against the Gators were divers Marcela Maric and Wally Layland, along with swimmers Angela Algee and the Hurricanes’ entry in the 400-meyer freestyle relay.
A home dual meet with Nova Southeastern, slated for 12 p.m. on Jan. 28, is the lone competition remaining before the ACC Swimming & Diving Championships in Atlanta (Feb. 13-16).
“I’m really happy with the competition that we have nearby and the great job that the coaches in the area are doing,” Kershaw said. “Having talented teams to swim against, without having to get on a plane and travel, is big. FGCU has established a great program and I have a lot of respect for them and what they do. I know they’re going to bring it, and that’s what we want.”
Kershaw said his team is beginning its final preparation for the conference championships with two dual meets remaining.
“We’re honing in,” he said. “The training is still pretty difficult – we still have another week or so before that part slows down. But we’re talking to them a little more about practicing pre-race routines and honing in on those things.”
Kershaw thinks his team will be ready for the emotions that come along with ACC Championships, where Miami impressed last spring.
“There’s a lot of emotions are coming. The closer we get to ACCs, that brings with it a lot of intensity and a lot of emotion,” he said. “We’re trying not to tap into that too much, because that can take its toll. I told the team this, but I feel like we’re in a spot where we don’t have to have any fear of what type of work we give them. They can do it all right now. That’s a great spot to be in.”
For more information on the Miami Hurricanes swimming & diving program, follow @CanesSwimDive on Twitter and Instagram.
News courtesy of Miami Athletics.
