University of North Texas Athletics
Friday, November 16
Topeka, KS
All Day
University of North Texas
vs
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Kansas Classic
Swim To Compete In Kansas, Diving To Houston
11/15/2018 1:03:00 PM | Swimming and Diving
DENTON – It has been over three weeks since the North Texas swimming and diving team faced meaningful competition.
The Mean Green finished with four podium finishes in a double dual-meet against Southern Methodist University and the University of Houston on October 20 in Dallas. North Texas swam in the time-being – with its annual Green and White alumni meet taking place on October 27.
Swimming and diving now prepares for its first real competition in nearly a month. The swimmers will travel to Topeka, Kansas to compete in the Kansas Classic. The divers will travel to Houston for the Phill Hansel Invitational. Both events begin Friday and will run concurrently through Sunday.
For head coach Brittany Roth, it is an exciting time as she will get to see if her swimmers have learned in the front half of the season. Both fields will feature a spattering of Big 12 schools.
"All of the planning, all the communicating we've been doing," Roth said. "We are putting them in a position to succeed this weekend. That is our entire goal – to be better than we have been all semester."
The same is true for diving coach Mark Murdock. Ten schools will compete in Houston. North Texas will be the only Conference USA school.
"There's a lot of good schools coming out that I know we can place ourselves with," Murdock said. "Our girls are very focused. They know what they're supposed to do. You don't need to tell them what to focus on. They've done everything in practice enough that they know exactly what they need to do."
The Mean Green will look to pick up where they left off in a way. North Texas had a strong showing in Dallas, especially from sophomore Leigh Faires McGee. McGee won two silver medals in the 200 (1:51.43) and 500-yard freestyles (5:02.73).
Senior Brittany Thurstin stepped up to bring home a silver medal in the 50-yard freestyle (24.12) while the 400-yard freestyle relay team of senior Emmabeth Jenson, freshman Bryanna Vasquez,
McGee and Thurstin turned in a third-place spot with a time of 3:30.52. Roth thought the meet was a success for North Texas, as the team came away from their races being smarter.
"I think this weekend could be a lot of fun if they take advantage of the opportunities," Roth said. "We've got some Big 12 opponents we are going up against and that's a big conference. Our girls will have to trust themselves and race to the end. They need to execute their plans."
The first swimmers on Friday will hit the water at 10 a.m. in Topkea with the 500-freestyle. Follow @MeanGreenSwim on twitter for live updates.
The Mean Green finished with four podium finishes in a double dual-meet against Southern Methodist University and the University of Houston on October 20 in Dallas. North Texas swam in the time-being – with its annual Green and White alumni meet taking place on October 27.
Swimming and diving now prepares for its first real competition in nearly a month. The swimmers will travel to Topeka, Kansas to compete in the Kansas Classic. The divers will travel to Houston for the Phill Hansel Invitational. Both events begin Friday and will run concurrently through Sunday.
For head coach Brittany Roth, it is an exciting time as she will get to see if her swimmers have learned in the front half of the season. Both fields will feature a spattering of Big 12 schools.
"All of the planning, all the communicating we've been doing," Roth said. "We are putting them in a position to succeed this weekend. That is our entire goal – to be better than we have been all semester."
The same is true for diving coach Mark Murdock. Ten schools will compete in Houston. North Texas will be the only Conference USA school.
"There's a lot of good schools coming out that I know we can place ourselves with," Murdock said. "Our girls are very focused. They know what they're supposed to do. You don't need to tell them what to focus on. They've done everything in practice enough that they know exactly what they need to do."
The Mean Green will look to pick up where they left off in a way. North Texas had a strong showing in Dallas, especially from sophomore Leigh Faires McGee. McGee won two silver medals in the 200 (1:51.43) and 500-yard freestyles (5:02.73).
Senior Brittany Thurstin stepped up to bring home a silver medal in the 50-yard freestyle (24.12) while the 400-yard freestyle relay team of senior Emmabeth Jenson, freshman Bryanna Vasquez,
McGee and Thurstin turned in a third-place spot with a time of 3:30.52. Roth thought the meet was a success for North Texas, as the team came away from their races being smarter.
"I think this weekend could be a lot of fun if they take advantage of the opportunities," Roth said. "We've got some Big 12 opponents we are going up against and that's a big conference. Our girls will have to trust themselves and race to the end. They need to execute their plans."
The first swimmers on Friday will hit the water at 10 a.m. in Topkea with the 500-freestyle. Follow @MeanGreenSwim on twitter for live updates.
Players Mentioned
Freestyle
/ Swimming and Diving
Free/Fly
/ Swimming and Diving
Freestyle
/ Swimming and DivingTuesday, May 06
Thursday, February 20