Jan. 10, 2008

DALLAS (SMU)--The SMU men's swimming and diving team will welcome No. 20 Southern California, Arizona State, No. 18 Northwestern and the Texas All-Stars to the Perkins Natatorium this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 11-12 at 7:30 for the Classic @ SMU.

Last time out: The No. 24 Mustangs faced off against No. 4 Arizona and Washington on Jan. 4 at Arizona. SMU split the meet, topping Washington, but falling to Arizona. Alex Hetland gave one of the Mustangs' most noteworthy performances, winning the 100 breast outright, beating Marcus Titus of Arizona by just over a second. Hetland also won the 200 breast, completing the course 56 one-hundredths of a second faster than Arizona's Bart Steninger. The 200 free relay also placed first, with Shane Milu, Thomas Fadnes, Luka Vrtovec and Pontus Renholm sinking Washington by more than three seconds.

About the Classic @ SMU: 2008 marks the 26th year of the Classic @ SMU. The competition allows a nine-man squad (eight swimmers and one diver) from each of the teams for the two evening sessions. There are no preliminary heats, only consolation and championship finals. The meet features two diving events, the one-meter board on Friday night and the three-meter board on Saturday night. For the sixth year, the Classic will hold the Jerry Heidenreich Memorial 200 Freestyle event. Named after SMU's four-time Olympic medalist, the Heidenreich 200 Freestyle honors the late SMU star who passed away in 2002.

About the Competition: The 2008 edition of the Classic @ SMU includes No. 20 Southern California, Arizona State, No. 18 Northwestern and three Olympians swimming under the banner of the Texas All-Stars.

Southern California hasn't competed since the Husky Invitational in late November, where they finished third. Senior Ryan Gosper broke the school record in the 50 fly, clocking a time of 19.54, to lead the Trojans. Prior to that, the Trojans beat Arizona State in a dual-meet, 150-149.

In Arizona State's last outing, they beat Washington, 149-130. The Sun Devils enter this weekend's action with a dual-meet record of 3-4. Diver Billy Sweeney earned NCAA qualification on the three-meter against Washington.

No. 18 Northwestern last competed against Florida Atlantic and Denver back on Dec. 19. The Wildcats topped FAU (149-73), but fell to Denver (134-96). Northwestern is led by Croatian standout Bruno Barbic, who has a shot at his nation's Olympic team.

The Texas All-Stars are made up of Olympic gold medalists Brendan Hansen, Aaron Peirsol, Ian Crocker and five swimmers from the University of Texas. Hansen won gold at the 2004 Games in Australia for his role in the 400m medley relay. Peirsol also struck gold in 2004, winning the 100m back, 200m back and as part of the 400m medley relay. Crocker also won gold for his leg of the 400m medley relay.

Gold medalists Hansen, Crocker and Peirsol will be available for a half-hour after each night's competition to sign autographs.

Results: Live stats and results will be available on SMUMustangs.com. The entire meet will be shown tape-delayed on Floswimming.org.