Cougars Head to the Coast for Season-Opening Swim

PROVO -- The BYU women's swim team will make a quick trip to sea level this weekend to compete in the Pacific Invitational in Stockton, Calif. The meet will be the Cougar's first to count on the season.

"The idea is to get out of town, take a break from training and compete in a lot of events," said BYU women's swim coach Stan Crump. Crump entered every swimmer in at least three events, not including relays. "They are training well, and the more they compete the better they will get at it," he said.

The Cougars swam in two meets earlier this month, competing in the annual Don Reddish relays Oct. 13 at Utah and the Blue/White alumni meet Oct. 14 at home. Coach Crump is confident that with a few races under their belts, the women are ready to see action on the road and establish a benchmark for the pre-Christmas season.

"I'm looking for every swimmer to be better," he said. "They should each go faster than the last time they swam."

Universities participating in the invitational include Pacific, Nevada-Reno, Southern California, Denver, Washington State and MWC opponent San Diego State. The meet will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday.

The Pacific Invitational will be the women's final preseason match-up before starting regular-season competition Nov. 11 against UNLV.