Swimmers prevail in season-opening meet

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona and New Mexico swimmers take off as a men's relay race begins at Friday's competition at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center. Both the men and women prevailed over New Mexico in Arizona's first meet of the season.

Arizona's swimming and diving teams began the 1997-98 season on a good note on Friday, handily defeating New Mexico at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center. The men won 104-71, while the women won their meet 98-68.

On the men's side, freshman Jay Schryver earned NCAA consideration in his first collegiate race, winning the 200 meter freestyle race in 1:39.00. Fellow freshman Bryan Kreuzberger also won in his first race as a Wildcat, winning the 50m free in 21.33. Sop homore All-American Matt Allen won the 200m backstroke with a time of 1:51.56.

"I am very pleased with the way the guys swam today," head coach Frank Busch said. "They showed a lot of promise that I hope will be there all season."

For the women, Laurie Kline outclassed the field in the 1,000m freestyle, winning in 9:56.36, 20 seconds faster than her nearest competitor. Trina Jackson won both the 200m free (1:50.92) and the 200m individual medley (2:06.84). Denali Knapp also won twi ce, taking the 50m freestyle in a time of 24.18 and the 200m backstroke in 2:03.89.

"We swam some fast times today, being the first meet of the year," Busch said. "I am looking forward to next week against USC."

The U.S. National Team will also be swimming in Friday's meet, which should be one of the fastest of the season. Olympic medalists Gary Hall Jr., Amy Van Dyken, and former Wildcat Chad Carvin are expected to compete. The USC women are also the defending n ational champions, making this meet an early test for Arizona and how they compare with the best of the Pacific 10 Conference.