The Ball State women's swim team will take on another tough foe this weekend in Bowling Green when it goes up against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Western Kentucky has a 4-0 record coming into Saturday's showdown while the Cardinals stand at 4-2 .
The Cards are coming in with some renewed momentum after beating Illinois State last weekend.
"The swimmers seem to be regaining their focus," said coach Laura Seibold-Caudill. "The Michigan State meet was a good sign that the team is coming along. We were even more impressive in Saturday's meet, and I think we are getting better every meet."
"It took a while for us to get up our enthusiasm, but our last win really boosted our confidence," said senior Kate Willets. "Everyone just has to stay positive now and we need to keep the momentum going."
Last year, the Cardinals were defeated by Western Kentucky at Lewellen Pool. It will be no easy task to defeat them because both teams are very evenly matched according to Seibold-Caudill.
The Hilltoppers also boast one of the nation's top swimmers in Brandi Carey. She competed in the NCAA national competition last year. Carey has already broken several pool records at various schools this season including a 15-year old West Point record which was broken on Nov. 10.
"We have heard that they're really good but we will be ready for the challenge," said butterfly swimmer Mandy Hammonds. "This is the hardest part of the season because everyone is tired. But if someone's having an off day, there will always be someone who will step up and perform well in their place."
Thus far for the Cardinals in each meet this season, a different swimmer has stepped up and won two or three events to carry the team.
In the season's opening meet at IUPUI, Dee Dee Wolverton and Karla Bailey both won two events. At Saturday's meet against Illinois State, it was Melissa Keilen and Kait Martin who swept multiple events. When the Cards arrive in Bowling Green to compete on Saturday, another swimmer may have to step into the spotlight and have a dominant performance to beat the Hilltoppers.
"So far the season has gone better then I expected," said junior Melissa Keilen. "The coach has really stressed teamwork this year. We all push our teammates to succeed and compliment each other nicely."
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