Lady'Back swimming and diving hosts LSU in home opener

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas swimming and diving team takes on LSU in its home opener Saturday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. in the Arkansas Natatorium. Led by seniors Mariann Fulop and Kristen Thibodeaux, the Lady Razorbacks are excited to be at home to face their second Southeastern Conference opponent. “We have been competing the last three weekends away and we’ve been looking forward to this opportunity to compete at home Saturday against the LSU Tigers,” said head coach Jeff Poppell. “It provides us with a good test to see where we stand at this point in the season as well as how we compare with a team that finished just ahead of us last year (at the SEC Championship).” Despite two losses, Arkansas has finished either first or second in 24 out of 29 events and posted 11 personal records. The Lady’Backs look to keep improving with each meet. “Quality-wise we’re there,” said Poppell. “We’re getting our wins and personal-best times and right now that’s all we can shoot for and all that we could ask for. We’ve been very, very pleased and I’m proud of the girls and the job they’ve been doing. Every week is a new week and we’ve just got to keep building on what we’ve done up to this point.” LSU enters the meet after picking up its first dual-meet victory last weekend versus Division II Delta State. The Tigers lead the all-time series against Arkansas 10-3 and won the last meeting in 2004, 73-60. The Lady’Backs come off of a close meet last weekend at Nebraska. The Lady’Backs won eight events, the same amount as the Huskers, but were defeated 132-168. Poppell said the Lady’Backs are hungry for the competition in spite of the small squad of only 11 swimmers. “They want to compete,” said Poppell. “First thing’s first, we have to step up, compete well and win events, and if we can win events then hopefully we’ll be in the meet at the end.” For more information about Arkansas swimming and diving, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.