After posting dominating wins in its season opener over Delta State, the WKU swimming and diving team heads to Indianapolis to take on IUPUI and Indiana on Saturday, Nov 1.
Both the men and women will face IUPUI while the men will also have the challenge of Indiana, as the meet is slated to begin at noon CT.
“This is the first time that we are swimming against IUPUI since I have been here,” said WKU head coach Bruce Marchionda. “They are a much improved program over the last few years, so we are looking at some very good competition there. On the men’s side, Indiana is going to bring their men up there. We aren’t sure who they are going to bring because they have a meet the night before, but again, they are so good and Big Ten Champions, NCAA top 10 team. That is going to be a phenomenal thing for our guys, going up and swimming against the best swimmers in the country. We are looking forward to that challenge.”
The team will look to improve since its first and only meet of the season against Delta State on Oct. 11, as WKU defeated the Lady Statesmen 210-83 and the Statesmen 169.5-128.5. Since then, WKU has had mock meets on Saturdays, as Marchionda mentioned he liked what he saw from his squad.
“We had some top times for practice, which is nice to see,” Marchionda said. “I just really liked what I saw the last couple of weeks. Are we better than what we were a couple of weeks ago? Absolutely. Are we where we need to be? No, but it’s early. I think we are just anxious to get up and race somebody other than ourselves.”
The Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers had some good showings against Delta State, including senior Claire Conlon, as she was named Conference USA’s Swimmer of the Week after the event. Conlon tabbed three first-place finishes, including two individual top times in the win, earning her first-ever weekly league honor. Marchionda also noted that many of the returners on the men’s side are starting to pick up right where they left off.
The newcomers are still improving with each day, Marchionda noted, as they still continue to be a part of the big picture later in the athletic year. Marchionda has seen positive impacts from swimmers such as Hannah Musser, Sydney King, Logan Graumann and John Smith in their respective events. However, there is always room for improvement.
“We really need those people on the fringe last season to step up and make a difference,” Marchionda said. “They have to fill those gaps due to graduation. That is the plan and what we are seeing right now.”
For all the latest news and information on WKU swimming and diving, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program on Twitter via @WKUSwimDive and @WKUDiving or Facebook with WKU Hilltoppers Swimming and Diving.
Colllege Swimming News courtesy of WKU Swimming and Diving.
