Nov. 16, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's men's and women's swimming and diving squads will welcome Michigan State, Southern Illinois and Division III powerhouse Kenyon College to the Norris Aquatics Center for the TYR Invitational this weekend, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 17-19.
The meet will follow the Big Ten and NCAA Championships event schedule, with preliminary heats in the morning and finals during an evening session. Prelims will begin at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday mornings, with finals starting at 5 p.m. Sunday's schedule calls for 9 a.m. prelim heats and finals beginning at 3 p.m.
The meet will use a super final scoring system, with three final heats in each event. The top four qualifying swimmers will race in a super final, with the next eight racing in the consolation final. Additionally, there will be a bonus final with the top four finishers in that heat scoring points. There will be no prelims and only one final heat for each relay event.
Northwestern's men enter the weekend ranked No. 7 in the nation, and have a perfect 3-0 dual meet record. Matt Grevers (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), Eric Nilsson (Weston, Mass./Weston) and Mike Alexandrov (Champaign, Ill./Centennial) have won the last three Big Ten Swimmer of the Week honors.
The Wildcat women have turned in impressive early-season times, but illnesses and a schedule featuring four ranked opponents have kept the 'Cats out of the win column. Junior Andrea Hupman (Lawrenceville, Ga./Brookwood) broke the Norris Aquatics Center pool record in the 100 free last week, notching a 49.99 against No. 19 Wisconsin.
Northwestern will face Big Ten foe Michigan State, downstate rival Southern Illinois and Kenyon College. The Lords' women's team has won 20 of the last 22 NCAA Division III titles, while the men's team has won an incredible 27-consecutive NCAA DIII crowns.