S&D Set for Home Opener vs. Illinois State
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami Hurricanes women’s swimming & diving team will open its 2014-15 home slate Saturday with a dual meet against Illinois State.
Action is slated to begin at 11 a.m. from the Norman A. Whitten University Center Pool.
The Hurricanes are coming off a hard-fought matchup with in-state foe FGCU, who topped Miami Oct. 25 in Fort Myers. The Redbirds will battle FIU Friday afternoon before arriving in Coral Gables for Saturday’s morning meet.
Head swimming coach Andy Kershaw’s squad is looking to build off the momentum from its last meet against the Eagles.
“I’m excited. We’ve been training, keeping it going, trying to push it a little more every week,” Kershaw said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do tomorrow. We have to be better than we were last time out. Illinois State has a great team and we’re going to have to be on our game to compete with them.”
Sophomore Cameron Davis delivered two sparkling performances in her signature distance events against the Eagles, capturing first place in both the 1000-yard freestyle (10:14.71) and 500 freestyle (5:01.95).
“Last time out, Cameron was one of our stars,” Kershaw said. “This was surprising to me, but she got her first two collegiate wins against FGCU – it’s surprising because she’s been so tough for us the whole time she’s been here.
“She’s really coming into her own, and putting in the work necessary and getting the results out of it. I look for that to continue.”
Freshman Wally Layland, competing in the first collegiate meet of her career, swept the 1-meter (289.35) and 3-meter (314.85) to pace the Hurricanes on the boards. Thea Vock accomplished the same feat in her trip to the SMU Classic.
“Boards are always one of our strong suits and an area where we always hope to gain a little bit of an advantage,” Kershaw said. “But Illinois State also has a very good diver. This entire meet is going to be close.”
Among other strong performers: freshman Julie Suarez, who continues to get better in each and every meet. The West Palm Beach, Fla., native took first in the 200 freestyle (1:54.16) and third in the 200 backstroke (2:08.72).
Junior captain My Fridell has also impressed through the first two months of the season.
“I thought My was looking back like her very top-level self, as far as looking at her stroke,” Kershaw said. “Her times are starting to come around, I think she’s going to be great for us as well.”
Kershaw said the chance to compete at home for the first time this season has his team excited.
“We’ve talked to them a fair amount over the course of the last year or so about turning this place into a special place for them,” he said. “That’s a daily thing – walking out on the deck every day, getting ready to go to work when we train, and that transfers into meets as well.”
