Home Opener Against UNLV Friday, Divers at USC Invite

PROVO, Utah (November 7, 2001) The BYU men's and women's swimming and diving teams will host their home opener of the 2001-2002 season against UNLV on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Richards Building Pool.

The men's team is 1-0 in dual meets after defeating Utah 152-91 last Friday at Utah. They have won 17 straight dual meets, dating back to the 1999-2000 season. Last season the men's squad defeated UNLV 143-98. The women's team is 1-0 after defeating Utah 124-117. The women lost to UNLV last season 130-113.

"It's going to be a tough meet," said men's head swim coach Tim Powers. "UNLV is always tough to beat early in the season.

Both squads will feel the loss of their top divers who are heading down to Los Angeles for the USC Diving Invitational. Representing the Cougars will be All-Americans Aaron Russell and Justin Wilcock as well as freshman Andy Bradley. Russell won the one-meter event against Utah while Wilcock won the three-meter event. Bradley is a top recruit and a state champion from Virginia.

Kelli Einfeldt will represent the women divers at USC. She won both the one and three-meter diving events against Utah on Friday.

"It's a good opportunity to compete against the best divers," said head diving coach Keith Russell. "We will try to be our best."