LITTLE ROCK - The Little Rock swimming and diving team is ready to begin the 2022-23 season with a splash this weekend, hosting the annual All-Arkansas Invite this Saturday, September 17. The first event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Donaghey Aquatic Center (DAC), but fans from afar can also follow along on the MeetMobile app.
The packed in-state competition will include Arkansas, Harding, Henderson State, Hendrix, Ouachita Baptist, University of the Ozarks, Williams Baptist, and their respective men's teams. Last year, the Trojans finished second on the women's side, trailing the Razorbacks and finishing well ahead of Henderson State.
""It is an honor to host the All-Arkansas Invite again this year," said Little Rock head coach
Amy Burgess. "It is the perfect way to kick of the season and showcase the swimming and diving universities in the state."
A new crop of seven newcomers will have their Trojan debut this weekend as well, as Little Rock continues to build each year. It will also be
new diving coach Chris Pape's first meet with the team, as the diving competition will be held in the well at the same time as the swimming events. If you can't make it to the home opener, be sure to
check out the 2022-23 swimming and diving schedule and mark your calendars for the next home meet on Sept. 23 at 10 a.m.
Six seniors will also be kicking off their final season of competition:
Fernanda Gamez,
Lauren Gray,
Ashleigh Green,
Annya Grom,
Fer Moussier, and
Brianna Ridings. Each has played a massive role in improving the culture of the program and contributing to the team's academic and athletic prowess during their time at Little Rock.
"We have some very strong leaders and talent this season and it is going to be exciting to watch them continue not only the development of our team, but themselves as well," added Coach Burgess.
Other Trojans to watch include
Gillian Boggs,
Jaelle Carlson and
Cheryl Poulsen, who each earned Missouri Valley All-Conference recognition at last year's championships in addition to Gray and Grom. Boggs finished in the A final of the 400 IM, while Grom was a triple-A finalist in her individual events: the 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly. Carlson, Gray, and Poulsen stood on the podium as members of the runner-up 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Speaking of relays, it's another year to keep an eye on
the school record board. Last season, three relay records were shattered, and five of the seven contributing members return to the Trojans. The 200 medley will look for a new breaststroke leg and butterfly leg to join
Caitlin Romprey and Grom, while the 200 free relay is searching for a 50 freestyler to step up. However, all four members of the 400 free relay record are back and ready to make more waves.
For the latest information on Little Rock Swimming and Diving, make sure to check out
LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockSwim on
Facebook,
Instagram and
Twitter.
#LittleRocksTeam
