DENTON (1/11/07) - The North Texas swimming and diving team returns to action after a month-long break from competition with two meets this weekend. On Friday and Saturday, the Mean Green swims against Houston, New Mexico State and FIU at Houston. NT returns home to face No. 5 Texas A&M at the Pohl Recreation Center at 11 am.
"We haven't competed in a month, but during that time I have been really pleased with what we have been able to get done in training," said head coach Joe Dykstra. "Not having school in session gives us the opportunity to go out and get some good conditioning done and lay the foundation for what we can do in February."
In his first year as head coach, Dykstra has led the Mean Green to a 4-2 dual meet record and ended 2006 by winning the UALR Christmas Invitational. The team has broken 13 school records and posted 30 times that rank in the top five in school history.
"I have been thrilled with how the team has come together," said Dykstra. "They have embraced each other and our team goals and philosophy. I think it will pay off in February."
Dykstra thinks the meet in Houston will be a good competition for the Mean Green and anticipates his team will compete hard. The big challenge will be swimming against Texas A&M on Sunday. The Aggies are ranked No. 5 in the NCAA.
Last week, the Mean Green retained its No. 24 ranking in a poll of mid-major schools by CollegeSwimming.com. The Mean Green was ranked 24th in the first mid-major poll earlier in the season. Dykstra said the ranking was a good testament to the team's performance during the fall.
