After coming back from winter break last weekend with a host of individual awards, the UF men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will try to keep the momentum going as they take on Florida Atlantic on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the O’Connell Center.
Last year, both squads topped the Owls in a dual meet, but the Gators will be without several swimmers on the men’s side.
Senior Shaune Fraser and eight other members of the squad will be absent from the meet as they will be competing in the SMU Classic, hosted by Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Last year, the men’s team placed second in the event, which begins today.
With Fraser and the more versatile swimmers in Dallas, the rest of the men’s team will get to compete against FAU.
The results of the FAU meet can have a large impact on who coach Gregg Troy wants swimming come the postseason.
“It gives everyone on the team the chance to race this week,” Troy said.
Florida collected its fair share of individual awards this week.
After taking care of both Indian River State College and LSU in dual meets last weekend, three Gators earned weekly swim and dive honors, and one took home a top UF award.
Fraser was named CollegeSwimming.com’s Division I National Collegiate Male Swimmer of the Week for his performance last weekend.
This marks the third time this academic year Fraser has earned the honor after being awarded Oct. 14 and Nov. 3 as well.
Also taking honors for last weekend’s meets were senior diver Kara Salamone, named the Southeastern Conference Female Diver of the Week, and freshman men’s swimmer Marco Loughran who earned SEC Male Freshman of the Week.
“They all had great weeks,” Troy said. “It’s a good indication of where they’re at right now.”
