Huskers Wrap Up Regular Season On The Road

Lincoln-The Nebraska swimming and diving team hits the road for the final regular-season competition of the year, when it travels to Omaha to square off against the Mavericks on Friday, Jan. 31, at 5 p.m., before traveling to Ames, Iowa, to face the Cyclones on Feb. 1 at 2 p.m.

NU is coming off a split in weekend competition. The Huskers split a pair of duals against Kansas and Louisville on Jan. 18, downing the Cardinals, 237-48, but falling to the Jayhawks, 172.5-127.5.

Assistant coach Doug Humphrey said that the team is ready for a final tune-up before the conference meet in February.

"With the conference meet quickly approaching, it is always good to get used to competing away from home, and to compete in different venues," Humphrey said. "UNO is a very talented team and will test us in the pool. Iowa State will be another good challenge for us, facing a Big 12 team in their pool to wrap up the regular-season."

UNO comes into the meet with a 6-2 dual record. The Mavericks, who finished sixth last season at the NCAA Division II championships, are coming off a 103-74 win over Nebraska-Kearney on Jan. 19. UNO also lost to Truman State, 152-89. The Tigers defeated the Huskers on Oct. 19, 152-101.

The Huskers and the Mavericks have met in the pool six previous times, with the Huskers victorious in all six meetings.

Iowa State comes into the meet with a 4-3 mark in dual action. The Cyclones fell to Missouri, 187-113, on Jan. 25, and sit at 0-1 in the Big 12 Conference. Iowa State will face Kansas on Feb. 8.

Humphrey also said that the Huskers have a chance to improve this weekend.

"We should have some excellent performances this weekend," Humphrey said. "We have had outstanding workouts throughout the year, but especially since the new year. It is an exciting time of year and every swim or dive is an opportunity to really surprise people."

The Huskers return to action on Feb. 20, in Austin, Texas, at the 2003 Big 12 Championships.