The Saint Louis University Swimming and Diving teams kick off their season this weekend with a dual meet at cross-town rival Washington University, but win or lose against the Bears, there is a reason to celebrate afterwards.
That is because the team will hold its annual fundraiser following the meet at Humphrey’s Restaurant and Bar from 5 to 8 p.m. Members of both the men’s and women’s squads will raise money for the team’s training trip.
The event will include a raffle, with a variety of prizes from sports memorabilia to restaurant gift cards. Some of the noteworthy items include a bat signed by Cardinals Hall-of-Famer Stan Musial and a graduation party for 30 at Ricardo’s Italian Caf?. Tickets are $10 for the event, and appetizers will be provided.
Proceeds from the event will go towards the team’s trip in Fort Myers, Fla. But their time in the Sunshine State should not be confused with some kind of winter break.
The team will endure three to four practices a day for seven days in an attempt to prepare for the stretch-run of their season, including the Atlantic 10 Championships in February. Last season the women finished third in the conference, while the men placed eighth.
Both the men and the women soundly defeated the Bears in last year’s opener, but their preparation will be put to the test Saturday in the meet at Wash. U.
This marks coach Jim Halliburton’s seventh season at the head of both the women’s and men’s teams. Diving coach Greg Triefenbach is beginning his second year.
The team lost several key seniors including Steve Sash, BJ Brungardt and Josh Stevens from the men’s squad, and Emily Oberjohn, Meredith Grass and Kayla Schleicher from the women’s team.
But the team returns most of its standouts from both squads. Senior Brad Byars is the top returning sprinter in the Atlantic 10 and junior Kevin Parker looks to break his own school records in the backstroke events. The two were Co-MVPs of the team last year.
The women will be led once again by Elena Ramirez. The junior from Champaign is the two-time defending Atlantic 10 champion in the 100 and 200 fly. Sophomore Lindsey Tamkun returns poised to improve on her rookie campaign in which she broke the school record in the 200 backstroke.
The team boasts an impressive recruiting class that will be expected to contribute right away. There are 13 new members to the swimming and diving squad. Three swimmers-Michael Dahle, Joey Frampus and Sarah Bennett-enter with times already faster than school records in their respective events.
The team will host five meets this year, starting with a dual against A-10 rival Xavier in early November.
