UH Tennis

UH Men's Basketball

By Keenan Singleton
Daily Cougar Staff

UH's swimming and diving team will compete at home for the last time this season at the UH Natatorium (Melcher Gym) this Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Cougars welcome the strong Mustangs of Southern Methodist University for what is sure to be a competitive match for both teams.

SMU dominated the 1998-1999 season with seven individual All-Americans that swept the Western Athletic Conference championships last year and had four top-four finishes in the NCAA championships.

Even though they lost loads of talent, the Mustangs return with four All-Americans in numerous events.

Returning to the depleted SMU squad are four seniors that led the Mustangs to four top-four NCAA finishes and three straight WAC championships - including an unprecedented 21-event sweep of the 1999 WAC Championship.

On the Cougar front, UH's 9-7 dual-meet record is a major improvement over last year's 6-8 record against many of the same opponents.

The improvement is a testament to the hard work of head coach Ginger Hurley, diving coach Jane Figueirido, assistant coach Jeff Helms and of course, the team.

True freshmen Jessica Blake, Danielle Ruggiano and Falon Hopkins were worth all the hype.

Blake posted UH's best time in the 100-yard backstroke and also holds the best time in the 200-freestyle.

Hopkins, a Lamar High School graduate, sat out the Jan. 15 meet against the New Mexico State Aggies, but still achieved the Cougars' best time in the 50-freestyle and the 100-butterfly, while Ruggiano has been an integral part in the relay team and garnered second place in the 200-butterfly.

The six seniors on the squad, backstroker Stephanie Kimble, diver Yolanda Hernandez-Casas, the extremely versatile Mandy Harms, team captain April Dodd, diver Christi Christensen, and freestyler Susie Carnett will give the Cougars leadership and talent in their respective events as they tread water for the last time as Cougars in the UH Natatorium.

Next year's team will welcome back redshirted diver Sarah Close, Humble native Stacey Ebeling, distance freestyler Agustina Foglietta, top-notch freestyle/backstroker Jelena Matovic, consistent NIC performer Christy Milstead, last year's top returner Elissa Nelson, multi-talented Linda Osborne, medalist Angela Sanchez, ex-top freshman Deidra Thomas and junior freestyler Cindy Wolf.