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Salukis to face Missouri in swimming competition

The Salukis will travel to Columbia, Mo., Saturday to face Missouri in the women's second encounter with a Big 12 Conference competitor, and the men's first for the season.

The Saluki women are rebounding from their 132-84 loss to Nebraska, their first defeat of the season. Meanwhile, SIU's men have had a brief vacation from competition, with the sweep of Evansville Oct. 16 being their last event.

The women's loss at the hands of the Huskers wasn't without merit, however. Sophomore swimmer Nora Bunford was named Missouri Valley Conference Swimmer of the Week for her performance against Nebraska. Her time of 2:20.22 in the 200-yard breaststroke is the current best in the MVC and helped her capture first in the event.

Bunford, along with the entire team, will face a tough opponent in the Tigers.

Missouri's women's team finished the 2002-03 season ranked 21st in the nation, and three women represented the Tigers in the NCAA Championships last season.

The last time the Saluki women faced Missouri was during the 2001-02 season, where SIU recorded a loss in Columbia.

SIU head coach Rick Walker said the women will be facing a situation very similar to the event against Nebraska. He said the women would have a better idea what kind of competition a team of Missouri's size can provide.

Walker said the main focus on the women's side is to take advantage of that staunch competition.

"Even though we may not win the meet, we can certainly let them take us to faster times," Walker said.

Of course, a win for the Saluki women isn't entirely out of the question. Walker noted that Missouri has more depth, but cautioned that a misstep will be quickly capitalized on by SIU.

Meanwhile, the SIU men handed Missouri a defeat just last season. Senior Marcelo Possato took home two events (100 and 200 backstroke) in the upset, helping SIU defeat the Tigers for the first time in eight seasons.

Walker said Missouri will be extremely eager to regain the victor status they held until last year's solid defeat, something the Salukis will have to be aware of.

Despite the revenge likely being sought out by the Tigers, Walker is confident the Salukis can repeat last season's performance. It won't be a simple task, with Walker saying the Tigers and Salukis are virtually mirror images of one another.

Possato said as long as the team stays focused, another win is probable, even with Missouri hosting the event.

"We beat them last year," Possato said. "Why can't we beat them in their own house?"

Should both or either of the Saluki teams lose, Walker said it wouldn't truly impact the season in the grand scheme of things.

"You don't not get a plague, you don't not get something," Walker said. "You only lose when you don't take advantage of lessons to be learned."

In either case - win or lose - Walker said he is just looking forward to having those lessons learned by the Salukis.

"We're not gonna back down or be intimidated," Walker said. "We're gonna be hungry dogs."