Jan. 13, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - Fresh off their annual winter break training trip in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the men’s and women’s swimming & diving squads head to Kingston, R.I., for the Rhode Island Invitational this weekend.

 The meet will commence tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. and action will continue on Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Tootell Aquatic Center.

The meet will consist of all Atlantic 10 teams and will be the Explorers' first competition since December 4, 2010.  The men’s squad will face George Washington and defending A-10 champion Massachusetts.  The women will compete against George Washington, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and put their 2-0 A-10 conference record to the test.

 “After a productive training trip, the team is ready to compete again,” Head coach Matt Nunnally said. “The team is looking forward to measuring up against several A-10 opponents at the meet.”

The Explorers’ training trip began on January 3 when the teams arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The squads spent 10 days training outdoors at the San Juan Natatorium.  The Explorers practiced twice a day in the 50 meter pool, which is one of the nicest facilities in Puerto Rico, and at the attached weight room.  The diving facility allowed the divers to practice the on 1-and 3-meters and had a full tower.

In the latest CollegeSwimming.com/CSCAA Mid-Major Division I Mid-Major Poll, the La Salle men’s squad was ranked 16th, dropping one spot from their previous number 15 ranking.

The Explorers enter this weekend’s competition 5-1, including a 1-0 mark against the A-10.  The women’s team is currently 3-4 (2-0 A-10) on the season.