Oct. 31, 2008
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -
Fresh from their strong performances last weekend at the Malibu Invitational, both Matador swimming teams will face UC Santa Barbara in their first Big West meet of the season.
The dual meet will begin at 12:00 p.m. and take place at Matador Pool this Saturday.
"We are fired up for this weekend." explained Head Coach Barry Schreifels. "The men and women are training for a meet against one of the top-25 programs in the country. Two years ago, we took their men's team down to the last relay and nearly beat them. That's the thing about swimming, you go in with an open mind, race, and see what happens."
Boasting one of the top swimming programs in the nation, the defending Big West Champion UC Santa Barbara Gauchos open their season against a Matador team looking for an early-season upset at home.
"Look at a guy like Chris Grafton who had a terrific meet at Malibu, and after speaking with the coaching staff at UC Santa Barbara, his name came up in our conversation. He is on their radar during the 50 and 100 freestyle events as well as Olesya Senicheva during her butterfly events. Look for Simone Luker in the 100 breaststroke to raise her performance against two of the top swimmers in the nation," stated Schreifels.
Competing for only the second time this season, the Gauchos will provide a tough test for both Matador squads; returning swimmers will look to improve on their times set last weekend in Pepperdine, while newer members will continue to learn about the nuances of competing against other teams.
Explained Schreifels, "especially early in the year, these meets are an education for the new swimmers. As a group, the older swimemrs are trying to teach them how to prepare for races once you are tired. You train hard until you tire yourself out, and that is it. In a race, once you are tired, you need to mentally prepare for the next race. I think this is the biggest lesson that new swimmers need to learn, and they are experiencing this first-hand."
Even though the Gauchos were the preseason favorites to win the conference, both Matador teams possess a combination of experience and energy that is fully capable of setting impressive times on a consistent basis, and look to challenge a Gaucho team competing in their inaugural meet of the season against outside competition.
"I can guarantee you that these swimmers are going to fight for every inch, and they will battle in every race and try to out-touch everyone that they are competing against."
