The Hoosiers competed at the 2014 AT&T Winter Nationals in December. Junior Brooklynn Snodgrass won three gold medals in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke and as a part of the 800-freestyle relay. Freshman Kennedy Goss earned silver in the 200 freestyle and bronze in the 500 freestyle.
Sophomore diver Michael Hixon placed second on the 1-meter and third on the 3-meter, while freshman Jessica Parratto won gold on the platform and silver in the 3-meter event.
Since that meet, IU has had time to focus on training without competition. IU Coach Ray Looze said aside from good work in the pool, his swimmers have struggled to stay free of sickness.
“The flu bug has really hit us hard,” he said. “This has probably been the worst flu season that we’ve had to deal with as far as how many people have gotten it.”
It won’t keep anyone out this weekend but will still have a short-term effect on some of the swimmers.
This is the Hoosiers’ first tri-meet of the year, their last dual meet coming Oct. 31 of last year. They haven’t competed at home since opening the season against Auburn.
Looze said the schedule this season means more ?traveling.
“We’re trying to swim against the best competition,” Looze said. “And if you’re going to do that, you have to be willing to go on the road than whoever you might be able to attract to your own school.”
IU will face Notre Dame’s Emma Reaney, who won the national title in the 200-yard breaststroke last season, becoming the first NCAA Champion in school history. She’ll present problems for a thin IU breaststroke group.
While Notre Dame has strong individual performers on the women’s side, Looze said the men are one of the deeper teams in the country.
“We’re in for a tough competition, no doubt, and Wisconsin being at home they have that advantage,” Looze said. “We’re aware of what we’re walking into. We like challenges, and we’re going to get one.”
