Protect the pool; Swimming hosts Arizona in first home meet

Washington+State+senior+swimmer+Nicole+Proulx+works+on+her+freestyle+during+a+practice+in+Gibbs+Pool%2C+Jan.+28th%2C+2014.

Washington State senior swimmer Nicole Proulx works on her freestyle during a practice in Gibbs Pool, Jan. 28th, 2014.

The Washington State Cougars women’s swimming team begins a four-meet home stand against the Arizona Wildcats this Friday at Gibb Pool. The meet will be the first trip to Pullman for the Wildcats in their program’s history.

The Cougars haven’t competed against Arizona since Oct. 26, 2012, when the team traveled to Tucson, Arizona for the first meet ever between the two programs. The Cougars lost to Arizona 119-75, with WSU senior Haley Anderson and junior Loree Olson the top individual scorers for the team.

WSU Head Coach Tom Jager will reunite with an old friend during Friday’s home-opener.

“My buddy, Rick [DeMont], is the coach down there,” Jager said in an interview with wsucougars.com. “I’m looking forward to seeing him and our Cougars are looking forward to seeing the Wildcats.”

The Wildcats entered the season ranked No. 10 in the CSCAA Coaches Poll, according to NCAA.com.

Arizona began its season two weeks ago and defeated the Wisconsin Badgers in by a score of 180-101. The Wildcats earned top-finishes in 12 different events against the Badgers, according to arizonawildcats.com.

After losses to USC and UCLA last weekend, the Cougars are ready to compete on their home turf against another high-caliber conference opponent.

“We had great focus in our first meets,” senior Nicole Proulx said. “We want to get to another level, and we need to compete against the best swimmers head-on to get to where we want to be.”

The Cougars had production from all areas during the team’s trip to Los Angeles last weekend, including impressive performances from some of the younger swimmers on the team. Freshman Anna Brolin finished second in the 100-meter butterfly in her first collegiate swimming meet against USC.

Coach Jager is impressed by the performances of the team’s all-around talent, especially the team’s six freshman.

“As a team, we’re not afraid of anybody,” Jager said. “It’s a tribute to the seniors before this season that helped recruit these swimmers, and now we’re starting to see the fruit of our labor.”

Assistant Coach Adriana Quirke said the team is excited to compete at home in front of the Cougar faithful after beginning the season in Los Angeles.

“Traveling takes a toll on your body,” Quirke said. “For them to be at home, and relax, I can imagine they’re going to get better and better every meet.”

After competing Friday against Arizona, the team will return to Gibb Pool to face Arizona State at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24.