Thursday November 1, 2001

The University of Arizona swimming and diving team will kick off its season tomorrow when the Wildcats play host to Wisconsin in the first meet of the season.

The men and women's teams will compete in a 16-event, head-to-head meet with the Badgers.

Senior swimmer Jenny Vanker said the Wildcat women - who finished second in the Pac-10 last season - are excited about starting the regular season after a summer of training.

"Everybody is ready to race. We've been training for so long, but you don't get to really see the benefits until you race against other teams," she said. "This weekend will be fun, and everyone is excited to see where we're at."

Vanker said this year's team has a good chance of winning an NCAA National Championship.

"We've been so close every other year, and then fell short at the end. This year, we have one of the best teams since I've been here, and we expect to have a good season," Vanker said.

Kristopher Souther, another senior, said the men's team is also anticipating a return to the top.

"The buzz in the locker room is that we're good, and we know we're good," she said. "We're excited to see everyone swim."

Last season, the men's and women's teams finished sixth and fifth, respectively, at the NCAA National Championships.

Though UA may have an edge in talent against Wisconsin, Souther said the team cannot take its competition lightly.

"There's not that much room for error because you really don't know what you're up against," he said. "For the seniors on the team, we know that there is no tomorrow. With that mentality, it makes us very dangerous people in the water."

Jessica Hayes is one of a handful of freshmen making their Wildcat debut.

"From what I've seen and heard, this is one of the closest teams Arizona has had," she said. "I'm just going to try and go out there and do what I can do.

"I'm going to concentrate on each meet," she said. "I know that there are bigger events this season, but taking each meet seriously is important, and it is important for the team to do as well as we can."

The meet begins tomorrow afternoon at 2 in the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center.