Oct. 4, 2002

COLUMBIA, Mo. - -The University of Missouri swimming and diving teams will hold its annual Black and Gold meet at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday in the University Natatorium. This will be the first chance for the public to see the 2002-03 Tiger swim teams in action. The intersquad scrimmage will give fans and media a chance to see the team before heading off to Lincoln, Nebraska for the Big 12 relays on October 11.

Head coach Brian Hoffer is entering his 11th season as head coach of both the men's and women's swimming and diving teams. He has lead the Tigers to a combined 65-26 dual meet record the last five seasons.

The women's team is coming off the best single season ever in the women's history. The Tigers went 9-0 in dual meets. Placed 3rd at the Big 12 Championships, the highest finish at the Big 12's in women's history, and ended the season ranked 25th in the nation. The Tigers return 20 letterwinners (including 3 NCAA qualifiers) that led to 6 team records being broken.

The men's team returns one of the most experienced and talented teams in the Big 12. They return a squad that loses only two letterwinners and returns 15. The team broke 4 school records last year and looks to break even more this coming season.

"Right now, this is the best swim team I have ever coached at the University of Missouri. To say that I have high expectations for our teams this year is an understatement," said Hoffer. "Our schedule is going to be tough. I purposely scheduled it that way because I know and the team knows that they can compete at a high level."

The Black and Gold meet is an exhibition meet that will not be officially scored. The teams first home meet will be November 1 against Big 12 and border state rival Kansas.