DENTON, Texas (10/23/08) - The North Texas swimming & diving team travels to New Orleans on Friday, October 24, to take on the Privateers at Tulane's Reilly Center. The diving begins at 11:45 a.m. followed by the swimming events at 12:30 p.m. This marks the first Sun Belt Conference dual meet of the season for both schools.
At this week's media luncheon, Mean Green swimming head coach Joe Dykstra discussed what he's seen from his squad early on this season. He also talked a little about the New Orleans meet.
"I felt our young kids handled the pressure very well against Texas A&M, Rice, and Houston," said Dykstra. "No one's seemed overly satisfied with their performances and they want to progress further. New Orleans has improved since last season and this is a great chance to gauge ourselves against other Sun Belt schools."
The Mean Green comes in after having faced Texas A&M, Rice, and Houston in dual meets this season. On October 10 in College Station, the Aggies defeated the Mean Green (187-103) and Rice also prevailed against North Texas (184-109). In Houston the next day, the Mean Green performed better but fell to the Cougars (174-126).
Three North Texas swimmers won events against Houston. Alicia Hale placed first in the 200 Freestyle, Nicole Leslie won the 50 freestyle, and Rosa Gentile finshed first in the 100 Butterfly.
Hale shared her thoughts at this point of the season.
"We started our meets sooner this season so we’ve been more focused on preparation," said Hale. “I am pleased with the way I’ve swam in the 200 Freestyles and the Individual Medleys.”
Gentile explained what the team is looking to improve upon.
“We’ve been working on technical things like turns and anything that can us to become better as a team.”
On the diving side, Kim Nelson-Wulff has posted her career bests already this season. On October 10, she received a 208.95 in the one meter. Her previous best score was 194.05. She also got a 207.00 in the three meter which she broke the next day with a 210.75 against Houston.
Nelson-Wulff expressed how she feels about this season.
"I have more confidence and feel more comfortable in my dives," said Nelson-Wulff. "I just tell myself to not get stressed and dive like I do in practice."
As far as New Orleans goes, they are coming off a dual meet on October 10 versus Incarnate Word. The Privateers won (183-114) and had several swimmers do well including Cristina Lay and Taylor Reynolds. Lay won the 200 Individual Medley and the 100 and 200 Butterfly. Reynolds placed first in the 100 and 200 Backstroke and the 50 Freestyle.
North Texas and New Orleans met in Denton last season on February 9, with the Mean Green defeating the Privateers (143.5-111.5).
