The Marshall University swimming and diving team ends a bye week to take on Youngstown State on Saturday.
The Herd (1-4) last competed Oct. 24 in Greenville where it took a 196-97 win over Campbell, but lost to Towson and Conference USA opponent East Carolina, 235-65 and 193-100, respectively.
Youngstown State (0-2) is coming off a 170-130 loss at Niagara on Oct. 30. The Penguins host a quad meet today against Cleveland State, Malone and Canisius before hosting Marshall on Saturday. Youngstown State lost to Marshall, 144-97, last season in Huntington.
Marshall head swimming coach Leonard Kraus said the bye week allowed the team to work on aerobics and participate in additional practices.
“We got in a nice practice on Saturday morning,” Kraus said. “It was a challenging set, a challenging practice. Once the season starts, we kind of lose some of that ability to train. I think we got what we needed to do done in the last week.”
Marshall head diving coach Jim Zagaria concluded his third week as coach and said the divers worked on little details that could change the outcome of diving events in future competitions.
“Having a bye week, it was really good for us,” Zagaria said. “Last week I was able to really kind of have everybody take a step back and really focus on basics and work on the things that are going to take a 5.5 dive to a 7.5 dive. I’m hopeful that the little things we’ve been working on, we’re going to see those changes in the meet (Youngstown State) and in a stressful situation like the meet.”
Zagaria said his transition to Marshall has gone well and the divers have been receptive to his guidance.
“I’m very pleasantly surprised with the girls,” Zagaria said. “They’ve worked really, really hard. They do it with a smile. They’re tough. That aspect, I’m very pleased.”
Youngstown State will be the first meet of the season where the Herd will be at full strength. Most of the illness and injury is behind the team members now, Kraus said.
“For the most part, I think we’ve got people healthier than they’ve been since this all went through,” Kraus said. “I look forward to being able to go into Youngstown and swim fast and kind of see where we are as a whole team for the first time.”
Zagaria said the divers are practicing intensely and are also taking measures to prevent future illness and injury.
“Knock on wood, we don’t have a lot of injury right now,” Zagaria said. “I’ve been asking them to do a lot. We’ve had high volume and high intensity. I think they’re pretty worn-out, but they’re healthy.”
Kraus said he wants the Herd to set the pace, especially in the 200-yard medley relay, and adjust accordingly during the competition.
“I think we’re going to be able to go in there and accomplish what we want to do,” Kraus said. “It’s not going to be a real tactical match up. Hopefully we prove ourselves right. I think we’re going to put ourselves in a good position for our medley relay. Hopefully get a win in that first event and just kind of dictate the rest of the meet.”
Marlowe Hereford can be contacted at hereford4@marshall.edu.
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