The SMU Mustangs dive into the North Texas pool this Friday in Denton, Texas to take part in the Mean Green Relays. In the 2008-09 season, the men’s squad finished second in the meet with a score of 106, and the women’s team finished first with a score of 132. SMU, TCU, University of Houston, Tulane University, Missouri State, Centenary and University of the Incarnate Word will all compete against each other during the meet.
The two SMU teams experienced a lot of turnover from the past season, losing several key members of relays to graduation. Last year’s women’s 200-meter freestyle relay team had a top time of 1:36:54. The relay was composed of now juniors Sascha Van den Branden and Gabriela Soza, sophomore Jessica Schauwecker and SMU alumnus Candace Blackman. Mustangs also dominated in the 400-meter medley relay touching in at 3:51:41. This relay also had older influence. Now SMU alumnus Petra Klosova was on the relay team. Klosova also swam with 2009-10 team captain Devon Callaghan, senior Justine Clarke and sophomore Denisa Smolenova. Other wins for the Mustangs came from the 800-meter freestyle, 300-breaststroke, 300-meter backstroke, 500-freestyle relay, 1500 freestyle relay and the 400 medley 4×100 IM relay. During a pre-season interview, head coach Steve Collins was confident in the returning swimmers, as well as the freshmen additions.
The men’s squad also found success during the Mean Green Relay in 2008, coming in second behind North Texas University. Now sophomore Mitchell Thompson, senior Maverick Smalley, 2009 graduate Cameron Huddleston and sophomore James Shake all swam in the 800 freestyle relay that touched in with a time of 6:53:80. The 1500 freestyle relay team also came in first with a time of 14:04:58. Finishing second overall, the Mustangs also came in second in many events such as 300 breaststroke, 300 backstroke, 500 freestyle, 400 medley, 400 freestyle and the 400 medley 4×100 IM relay.
The Mustangs look to continue their Conference-USA success as they travel to Denton this Friday.
