Oct. 28, 2003
Truman Swim Teams Dive Into 2003-04 Campaign With Dual At Mizzou
The three-time defending national championship women's swimming team, along with the Truman men's swimming team, will begin the 2003-04 campaign on Friday.
The swim teams kickoff their seasons at 5 p.m. against the Missouri Tigers in Columbia. With some promising swims already recorded during their intrasquad meet, the Bulldogs look to make it yet another impressive season.
This year's women's team returns 14 of 18 members of last year's national championship team. Six of those swimmers are returning national champions, five of whom hold NCAA Division II national records.
Junior Diana Betsworth is the top returner for the women with her name on four national records. Also holding NCAA Division II records are senior Krista Pray and juniors Christina Blose, Sarah Dance and Michaela Osborn. Senior Katie May returns as a national champion as well.
The 2003-04 women's freshmen class boasts large numbers and should add to the team's depth this season.
The 2003-04 men's team looks to build on last year's success. The Bulldog men have a large and talented senior class of seven swimmers, six of whom are three-time letterwinners. This year's men's team also returns six all-Americans.
Both teams could bring back NCAA DII qualifiers following this competition with their Division I opponent.
Last year, the Bulldog women lost 122-83 to Mizzou, while the men lost 119-86 in Kirksville.