Swimmers headed to Texas for Top Competition
1/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
AUSTIN, Texas - After a strong showing in College Station in dual meets against Texas A&M last Friday, the Alabama swimming and diving team is sending a contingent back to the Longhorn state this weekend for the Arena Pro Swim Series at Austin.
The meet in Austin is one of six stops on the Arena Pro Swim Series, which draws some of the world's fastest swimmers. The Texas-based event will be competed over a 50-meter span, also known as long course meters, as opposed to the typical collegiate distance of 25 yards.
Alabama head coach Dennis Pursley is sending a limited roster to the Grand Prix meet, including USA national team member Kaylin Burchell and defending NCAA 50 freestyle champion Kristian Gkolomeev.
"With our top athletes, we do everything we can to prepare them to be at their best at the NCAA Championships and this kind of competition, where they are going to see the best of the best, certainly does that," Pursley said. "At the same time, we're trying to help our athletes to prepare for international competitions, and this meet will do that as well."
With its winter training camps coming to an end the day before classes started last week and traveling to a dual meet at the end of last week, the Tide hasn't taken a break in its training schedule for the Pro Series.
"We're still going strong with our focus on the upcoming championship season," Pursley said. "Everything we're doing is point toward those meets."
This weekend's meet is a three-day event that includes prelims and finals each day.
Players Mentioned
