Lady'Backs Dive into the Northwest

FAYETTEVILLE-The University of Arkansas swimming and diving team travels to Washington State for a dual meet in Pullman, Wash., Saturday at 5 p.m. Saturday’s race marks the first meeting between the Lady Razorbacks and the Cougars. Head coach Anne Goodman James said Washington State should test the Lady’Backs especially since Arkansas will be without a key part of the squad. “This weekend against Washington State, a Pac-10 school, will give us some great competition in a lot of areas,” Goodman James said. “The one major disadvantage this weekend is that Washington State does not have diving. So we will be without that very, very strong part of our team.” For the Lady’Backs, diving has been a consistent threat. Freshmen Brieanne Kushner and Hilarie Wilson have paced the Lady’Backs on the boards taking the top two spots against Drury, Tulane and the University of New Orleans. Due to the absence of the diving events, Goodman James said she expects the Lady’Backs to make up for the change in the lineup. ”Every time we have adversity, we have someone step up,” Goodman James said. “So it should be an interesting competition as always.” Goodman James said she anticipates seniors Zsuzsa Csobanki and Whitney Lynn to lead the Lady’Backs as Lynn is unbeaten in the 1000 free in all three meets of the season. Csobanki has four top finishes in the 50 and 100 free. In the 50 free, Csobanki narrowly missed a NCAA ‘B’ qualifying time in the season opener against Drury. “I think we are a little stronger in sprint and distance freestyle,” Goodman James said. “Their strengths are probably the breaststroke and butterfly events. They’re a little stronger in middle-distance freestyle.” For more information on Arkansas swimming and diving, log on to www.ladybacks.com.