Jan. 23, 2009
Texas A&M vs. LSU Program 
COLLEGE STATION --- The Texas A&M men's swimming and diving team will go head to head against the No. 18-ranked LSU Tigers at 12 p.m. on Saturday at the Student Recreation Natatorium.
With the first week of spring classes and an entire winter break of training in College Station under their belts, the Aggie swimmers look forward to the meet versus a worthy competitor.
"I expect a great deal from LSU," said A&M head swimming coach Jay Holmes. "We've historically had a great series with them, and have swum against them every year for decades. This is a meet we, for sure, always remember from year to year."
The Aggies hold a 16-9 advantage in the overall series between the schools. The Tigers broke a 10-year losing streak to the Aggies last year with a 186-114 victory in Baton Rouge. Holmes sang his praises of this year's polished combination of swimmers and divers, especially of the athletic talents the diving team will bring to the pool.
"The combination (of swimming and diving) is a big part of success," Holmes said. "Anything we do this year is going to be because diving really did a bang-up job. We have three guys that are NCAA level and a couple more that may be there pretty soon."
With the Big 12 Championships less than five weeks away, the Aggies continue their vigorous training routine, beginning with Saturday's meet.
"We have three dual meets in a row on three successive weekends," Holmes said, "Then we have a little break to get ready for the Big 12 Championship. All of our training has been pointed towards this time of year."
The 2009 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships are being held on February 25-28 at the University of Missouri.