Northwestern gears up to face Illinois and Eastern Michigan on Friday at the Wildcats’ home opener.
The meet is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in the Sports Pavilion and Aquatic Center.
Coach Jimmy Tierney said the first meet means a lot for the team, especially in terms of setting a benchmark for future progress.
Tierney said the swimmers have worked hard to manage the workload of practices, which have become progressively more challenging since the beginning of the season.
“We’re definitely ready to race … and see where everyone is,” he said.
Tierney said the meet will be especially exciting for the freshmen because it is the first of their college career.
“They have a wonderful spirit about them,” he said. “They fit in really well.”
Freshman swimmer Melissa Postoll echoed Tierney’s sentiment.
“I love (the team),” she said. “The people have been so inviting.”
Postoll said she wasn’t nervous for the home opener; on the contrary, was excited to kick-start the season. The freshman is used to the pressure: Postoll said she has played the sport for 14 years.
“If you’ve never been to a swim meet, it’s cool to get the experience … to see what it’s all about,” sophomore Emily Launer said.
She said swimming isn’t a widely known sport, but that’s what makes it more interesting to watch.
Launer expressed anticipation for Friday, as well. Although she is looking forward to diving into the pool, the thought of the first beep still brings out a few nerves. She said meets between two Big Ten schools tend to make everyone more hyped up.
The sophomore said the Cats and Fighting Illini “have a bit of an in-state rivalry going on.” Launer herself hails from DeKalb, Ill.
NU isn’t as competitive with Eastern Michigan because the Eagles swim in the Mid-American Conference. The teams do not race against each other every season.
“It would be a big deal for (Eastern Michigan) … to pull an upset,” Tierney said.
The 2013-2014 season marks Tierney’s 2oth year leading the Cats and his 26th year of involvement with the program at NU. The team has included a Big Ten champion for 15 of the 20 years Tierney has led the team.
After the initial plunge Friday, NU will play Wisconsin in its next home game on Nov. 15.
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