Season-best records could be made this weekend as the Ball State University men's and women's swimming and diving teams play host to Big Ten Conference member Michigan State.
"Michigan State is a very good team," co-coach Bob Thomas said, "I'd have to consider us the underdogs in this situation."
Both coaches are counting on repeat performances from last week's top swimmers: Adam Konopka, Kyle Hembree and Ritchie Caudill for the men's team; Mary Brinkoetter, Addison Del Rio, Brittany Sayler and Stephanie Paul for the women's team.
"On paper, [Michigan State] may have more depth than us, but race for race, I think we can compete with them and hang in there," co-coach Laura Seibold-Caudill said.
Sayler had the Mid-American Conference's best overall time of 58.06 in the 100-yard backstroke event last weekend, and is 2.05 seconds away from having the MAC record for the event.
Del Rio had the third best MAC time in the 100-yard breaststroke event at 1:05.62, and is 2.76 seconds away from the MAC record.
"We have a phenomenally talented team this year," Brinkoetter said, "Lewellen isn't the best competition pool, and we know the disadvantages that it presents, and we're ready to take [Michigan State] on."
The men's team is getting just as ready for the meet, but with some swimmers out with injuries and illness, it may be a harder task for them to win the meet.
"A meet like this gives us a chance to swim against some fast people, and it's a test for us," Caudill said. "It's a matter of whether you can thrive in the face of adversity."
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