January 12, 2007
The fifth-ranked Texas A&M women?â„¢s swimming & diving team will face seventh-ranked Southern Methodist in a high-powered tilt that will likely determine the state?â„¢s top program on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Perkins Natatorium.
The Aggies (6-0) have not lost a team competition of any form or fashion all season long. A&M has been so dominant that they have only lost 15 total races all year, with only a single one coming at a distance of less than 200 yards. The Aggies have an unblemished record in all relays this season as well.
SMU, who is currently ranked in a tie for seventh in the latest College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) dual meet poll with Florida State, brings a 4-1 record into Saturday?â„¢s showdown. The Mustangs are coming off a 170.5-123.5 loss to No. 6 Georgia last Saturday.
The two teams have faced off already once this season with A&M coming away with a 1,282.5 to 685 decision at the Art Adamson Invitational in College Station on Nov. 17-19. No. 10 Michigan took second at that meet with 1,048 points.
A pair of Mustangs earned wins in College Station in November. Sophomore Petra Klosova won the 100-yard freestyle, A&M?â„¢s only loss at the distance all season. Klosova posted an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 48.84 that ranks No. 2 nationally. The Aggies currently have three swimmers (Julia Wilkinson, Triin Aljand, Christine Marshall) ranked in the top 20 nationally in the event. SMU junior Anja Carman gave the Mustangs their second victory at the Adamson Invite, taking first place in the 1,650-yard freestyle (16:18.92; NCAA auto qualifier).
History falls decidedly on the side of the Mustangs as they hold a 23-2 series advantage over the Aggies. SMU earned a 167-111 win last season in College Station. The Mustangs have won 18 straight decisions dating back to a 113.5-69.5 A&M win in College Station on Nov. 8, 1986. The two teams have faced off every season since the 1979-80 campaign with the exception of the 2003-04 season.
On Sunday, the Aggies will travel to Denton to face North Texas at their Student Rec Center at 11 a.m. A&M has a perfect 7-0 series record against the Mean Green. The Aggies earned a 151-101 win last season on Senior Day in College Station.