JON HELGASON/Arizona Daily Wildcat After solid opening performances last weekend, the men's and women's swim and dive teams will test the waters again this weekend in Texas.

Whoever made the schedule for the Arizona men's and women's swim and dive teams isn't doing any favors for the Wildcats, but the challenges they face now can only pay off in the end.

After facing two top-ten opponents in California and Stanford last weekend, the Wildcats are back in action today and tomorrow, looking to better their dual-meet records against three top-25 schools. In-state rival Arizona State will be the least of the Wildcats' worries as they battle the No. 5 Texas men, the No. 7 Texas women, and the No. 6 ranked Southern Methodist University women's team.

Recording wins again this weekend will be difficult to come by, but the tough competition will better prepare the Wildcats for the Pac-10 championships and the NCAA Championships that are quickly approaching.

UA head coach Frank Busch said he believes swimming against such tough competition in back-to-back weeks will be really good for the team.

"It will be fun for us to swim these teams this week in Texas. The Texas men and women are great teams, and SMU is talented, especially on the women's side. This will be like a mini-invitational for us this week; it will be great competition" Busch said.

The last time the Wildcats were in Texas was in December for the Texas Invitational where the Wildcat men finished eighth and the women finished third. Both events were won by the home school Texas.

This time, things may be different, as Arizona is coming off of two confidence boosting performances, proving they could swim with the best in the country, especially on the women's side.

If the Wildcat women are to continue their successful rise up the polls however, they will once again need strong performances from the trio of senior Beth Botsford, sophomore Emily Mason and sophomore Jessica Hayes. The women will also be looking for a great showing from the divers who helped propel the team to victory last weekend. Junior Claire Febvay, who swept the diving events last weekend against Cal and Stanford, as well as junior Daniela Bemme will be called upon to again perform well this weekend in Texas.

The men will also be looking to make a statement this weekend. After performing well but falling short against Cal and Stanford, the men know they need to improve their performance if they are going to solidify themselves as a top-ten team.

The men have been given a boost by the additions of freshmen Lyndon Ferns and Simon Burnett, but will still rely on the veterans of the team. Sophomore Chad Ainsworth, who swam well last week, along with junior Juan Veloz, know they must swim well again this weekend for the Wildcats to stay even with their competition.

The Wildcat men's divers will also play a role this weekend. Juniors Josh Anderson and Alex Vollelunga, who both scored victories last weekend, will again look to perform well and help out the men's team.

There is extra pressure on the men to perform well in Austin this weekend, as the Jamail Center will also be home to the Men's NCAA Championships this coming March.

"The team is excited, this pool is a great facility and it is a great chance for the men to get ready for the NCAA's" said Busch.