There’s good news and bad news for the NIU swimming and diving teams this weekend.

The good news is that the men’s and women’s teams will do something that they haven’t done since their January 18th meet against Northern Iowa—compete together. The bad news is that tonight’s competition at Anderson Hall Pool against the University of Illinois-Chicago at 6:00 p.m. is the final home meet of the year for both squads.

The fact that the men’s and women’s teams have been split up since mid-January has become a major factor in team attitude and vitality.

“When they get together,” said Coach Jeanne Fleck, “they are a lot more spirited. I think they’re really excited.”

The men’s team will try to raise its record of 4-4, while the women work to heighten their 3-7 ledger.

The swimming competition will steal the show as the men’s 400-yard medley relay team will try to earn its third first-place finish in a row. Mid-Continent swimmer of the week Todd Klumb and North Star swimmer of the week Pam Jackson will aid in leading the Huskie attack.

The diving competition will once again be a heated battle as Bryan Hanania and Matt Mersman go up against one of the finest divers in the Mid-Continent Conference in Joe Sippage, while at the same time trying to break an NIU 1-meter diving record of 314.70 set back in 1973—the oldest record in the NIU books.

“He’s (Joe) going to push Brian and Matt very hard on both the one- and three-meter dives,” said diving coach Jeff Symons. “This will probably be the top three premiere divers in the conference here tonight.”

The return of Amy Inselburger from her illness will be a lift for the female divers tonight. “She’s (Amy) done as well as she’s done all year already,” said Coach Symons referring to Inselburger’s first place performances last weekend in Normal, Ill.

Coach Fleck summarized it best.

“We’re going to swim fast. We’re ready to go.”