Huskers Return Home for Alumni Meet

Lincoln, Neb. --- The 2004-05 Nebraska swimming and diving teams make their first appearance in front of the home crowd this Saturday with the third annual Alumni Meet.

Coming off road victories at Southwest Missouri State and Southern Illinois, the Huskers are off to another 2-0 start heading into a competitive, but fun meet with ex-Husker swimmers.

Alumni slated to return are Elizabeth Rieke, Doug Garland and Doug Humphrey. Rieke, a Lincoln native, was a freestyle swimmer. She lettered at NU in 2000 and 2001. Doug Garland, a Los Alamitos, Calif. native, was a four-year letterwinner from 1990 to 1993. Doug Humprey, the current assistant coach, swam and lettered for the Huskers from 1992-1995. Humphrey captured two Big Eight individual titles while at Nebraska.

Other alumni may also compete but are not currently scheduled.

"It is a unique situation because of its history," Coach Pablo Morales said. "We have been doing our best to bring our Alumni back. The program has a wonderful history so we want to connect that with the present and give the girls a sense of what has happened here before."

Morales said numbers have increased. In its first year of existence four alumni returned. Last year, 10-12 competed against the current Husker squad.

While the event will not have the same atmosphere as a regular meet, it is an important competition for Nebraska.

"We look at it as a normal training opportunity. Our girls will be swimming several events so it will be a good opportunity for them to see if we should add any strokes to anyone's races," said Morales.

Following the meet the Huskers will have two weeks off before hosting Truman State on Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.