After its upset victory over Miami last weekend, the men's swimming and diving team makes its longest road trip of the year to Buffalo, NY ,this weekend. The Cardinals travel to the University at Buffalo for their second Mid-American Conference meet in as many weeks.
The long road trip is not the ideal position for the team, but it will test the mental toughness of the young squad.
"It's not the best situation to be in," head coach Bob Thomas said. "Anytime you are traveling that distance the travel is going to have an effect on performance."
The long road trip does have a major benefit because Buffalo will play host to the conference championship meet. This weekend will serve as a warm-up for the championship in early March.
"We are using it as a dress rehearsal, an opportunity to go there and get familiar with the environment, get familiar with the hotels, and use it as a trial run in terms of what to expect in March," coach Thomas said.
Buffalo struggled to win last year with only three overall meet victories, but they have several big swimmers, including senior Tony Lizauckas, who won MAC player last year.
"They have some new freshmen in that are swimming exceptionally well, and they are going to be a major challenge to our guys," Thomas said. "They have a strong diver that has scored more points than Ryan (Plantz) at this point."
With Lizauckas the Bulls match up well with Ball State in the backstroke, and Thomas said it should be a key event in the meet.
"They have along with Tony three other strong backstrokers so we are very evenly matched in the backstroke," coach Thomas said. "It could be a big event for them, and it could be a big event for us."
Despite the small amount of victories, the Bulls will give the Cardinals a challenge.
"I don't look at it as an easy win," Thomas said. "Last time we went there and got beat. That is in my mind. I still remember it like it was yesterday. Our number one priority is to go in there and beat them in their own pool. By no means is it going to be an easy competition."222._-ú-¦Iphotom. swim 11.8.02DNEditorial222m\D-¿2AUDT
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