The SMU men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are in Houston this week to compete in the 2009 Conference USA Championship and Invitational.
The No. 17 women’s team (4-3-1, 2-0 C-USA) has experienced unparalleled success at the event after moving from the Western Athletic Conference in July 2005.
Not only have the Mustangs won all three C-USA titles since the move, but the team’s point total has increased with each passing year. In 2008, SMU established a new record for the meet by tallying 926 points.
Since joining the league, the Mustang women have broken all but four event records at the C-USA Championship.
Senior Petra Klosova set new standards last year with her times in the 100-yard freestyle (48.6 seconds) and 200-yard individual medley (1:59.48). In addition, senior Jennifer Basel established high-water marks in both the 200-yard breaststroke (2:14.14) and 400- yard IM (4:17.29).
Basel was one of three Mustangs to be named Wednesday to the C-USA Swimming and Diving All-Academic Team, marking her second consecutive selection. Sophomores Audra Egenolf and Sascha Van den Branden were similarly honored for their excellence in the classroom.
The No. 19 men’s swimming and diving team (5-2) will also try to defend its title as league champion at the C-USA Invitational in Houston.
After suffering a 150-103 loss to the University of Texas (despite winning seven of the 14 events) nearly three weeks ago to end the regular season, the Mustangs hope to ride the momentum of their upperclassmen to victory at the invitational.
Against the Longhorns – ranked No. 1 at the time – juniors Thomas Fadnes (50- and 100-yard freestyle) and Maverick Smalley (200-yard individual medley) each won and set season-best times in their respective events. Fadnes clocked an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 43.51 seconds.
Senior Pontus Renholm also swam a qualifying time in the 100-yard backstroke (47.56) before winning the 200 back as well (1:45.98).
The C-USA Championship and Invitational continues through Saturday at the University of Houston’s Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium. Prelims and trials begin at 10 a.m. each day, followed by event finals at 6 p.m.
