July 17, 2007
KINGSTON, R.I. - Three home meets and two invitationals at URI's Tootell Aquatics Center highlight the 2007-08 Rhode Island swimming and diving schedule, which was released today by head coach Mick Westkott.
"We are very excited about the upcoming season," said Westkott. "We'll return a great group of student-athletes this year, in addition to welcoming 25 new faces to the program - 16 women and nine men - who make up an exciting freshman class!"
Rhody opens the season at Maine on Oct. 27 before hosting in-state rival Providence on Oct 31 and Springfield College the following day, Nov. 1.
"Our opener at Maine always presents a challenge, but it is the kind of a challenge we want early in the season as it will get us ready for the rest of the schedule," explained Westkott.
URI then travels to New York City to face Atlantic 10 rivals Fordham and Duquesne on the 17th before returning home for the 12th Annual Harold Anderson Invitational featuring Fairfield, Holy Cross, Maine and Providence - Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
A Dec. 8 meet at Coast Guard will close out the 2007 portion of the schedule as the Rams will open the new year in Sarasota, Fla. for their annual winter training trip (Jan. 1 - 10). Rhody then returns to Kingston for the Rhode Island Invitational, Jan. 11-12, where it will take on conference foes George Washington, La Salle and Massachusetts.
The Rams travel to Connecticut to take on the Huskies on Jan. 26 and will host Boston College on Feb. 2 before heading to St. Bonaventure, N.Y. for the Atlantic 10 Championships, Feb. 20-23.
"Facing non-conference opponents like BC, UConn and Maine - as well as league rivals Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, LaSalle, and UMass - provides us with the challenges needed to head into February's Atlantic 10 Championship in our best shape of the season," said Westkott. "I'm confident that we will have a great year."
