Huskers Kick Off Season With Intrasquad Scrimmage

Lincoln-The University of Nebraska swimming and diving team kicks off the 2003-04 season on Friday, Oct. 3, with an intrasquad Red-White Scrimmage. The Red squad will take on the White squad at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Pool at <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>4 p.m. Admission to the Red-White Meet is free and open to the public. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Head coach Pablo Morales enters his third season at the helm of the Husker program and returns 15 letterwinners from last season's squad which finished sixth at the 2003 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championships.

 

"An intrasquad meet helps get in some early-season racing in a way that is fun and intense, but without the same kind of pressure as you get in a dual meet," Morales said. "It also fosters a sense of team unity that carries over throughout the rest of the season."

 

The meet is a way for the coaching staff to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of the team after nearly two months of fall practice.

 

"It gives the staff an opportunity to evaluate where we are," Morales said. "We are looking for some good racing that will allow us to accurately evaluate where we are as a team and individuals to help us shape the lineup for the upcoming season."

 

The first regular-season competition for the Huskers comes in two weeks at the Big 12 Relays in Ames, Iowa, on Oct. 17, with the first home action coming a week later against Southern Illinois on Oct. 25.