University of Minnesota Athletics
Preview: USA College Challenge, Minnesota Invite
11/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
| MINNESOTA INVITATIONAL | |
| Date | Thursday, Nov. 10-Saturday, Nov. 12 |
| Time | Prelims: 9 a.m. / Finals: 5 p.m. |
| Location | Minneapolis, Minn. / Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center |
| Live Stats | |
| Links | CSCAA Poll (Nov. 9) | Look Up Times |
| USA COLLEGE CHALLENGE | |
| Date | Saturday, Nov. 12-Sunday, Nov. 13 |
| Time | Nov. 12: 3:30 p.m. CT / Nov. 13: 10:30 a.m. CT |
| Location | Indianapolis, Ind. / IU Natatorium (IUPUI campus) |
| Live Video | BTN | USA SWimming |
| Links | Big Ten Roster | National Team Roster |
| Social Media | @GopherSwimDive / Facebook / Instagram |
The Minnesota swimming and diving team will send head coach Kelly Kremer and five swimmers to the Nov. 12-13 USA College Challenge in Indianapolis, while the rest of the Gophers will host the Minnesota Invitational Nov. 10-12.
KREMER, FIVE GOPHERS PICKED FOR INAUGURAL USA COLLEGE CHALLENGE
The first edition of the event will pit Big Ten swimmers against members of the U.S. National Team. Lindsey Horejsi, Jakub Maly, Conner McHugh, Kierra Smith and Brooke Zeiger were selected to the Big Ten roster.
All four Gophers returners hold at least one program record, and Horejsi set a national high school record last year. Smith is one of several 2016 Olympians competing for either side.
Kremer will serve as an assistant coach for the Big Ten women, reuniting with Michigan coach Mike Bottom.
"He and I were actually on the World University Games staff together once," Kremer said.
"It's fun to coach on the same team when you're so used to coaching against one another."
MEET FORMAT
The two-day meet will be contested in short course yards and scored like a collegiate dual meet. Men's and women's scores will be combined.
"With the college dual meet format, I think it gives the Big Ten a better chance, because I think the depth of the Big Ten is really one of the strengths of our team," Kremer said. "There are obviously elite athletes on the U.S. National Team, so I think this will make it a better meet."
WATCH ON BTN
Both sessions will air live on BTN and stream via BTN2Go and USA Swimming. The Saturday session will start at 3:30 p.m. CT. Sunday's events will begin at 10:30 a.m. CT, with BTN coverage to start at 11 a.m.
FIRST MINNESOTA INVITATIONAL SET TO START THURSDAY
Another new event will take place right at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center. The Gophers will compete in their first championship format meet of the season after starting with three dual meets. Most Minnesota student-athletes are expected to compete in their primary events. The field will mostly be made up of local and regional club teams.
"We're going to plug them in and let them swim prelims and finals," Kremer said. "We should get some fast swims out of the weekend."
LAST TIME OUT
Both Minnesota teams defeated North Dakota last Friday, Nov. 4. Several Gophers posted season bests in primary and/or "off" events. It was Minnesota's third consecutive home dual, and final one of the season.
GOPHERS IN THE POLLS
The Gopher men were ranked 15th and the women 17th in the latest CSCAA poll.
Players Mentioned
