Jan. 24, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern hosts Ohio State at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Norris Aquatics Center in its final dual meet of the season. The meet also is the Wildcats' Chipotle BIG MEET for 2007-08.

As NU's BIG MEET, the first 50 students in attendance will receive a coupon for a free Chipotle burrito. During one of the diving breaks, students will compete in a power boat race for a quarter's supply of burritos. Free Entenmann's will be provided while supplies last, and anyone can bring a college t-shirt from another school to SWAP for a free Northwestern t-shirt!

Saturday also is senior day, with the Wildcats honoring five seniors on the 2007-08 roster: Katie Braun (Edina, Minn./Edina), Beth Campbell (Burr Ridge, Ill./Fenwick), Leanne Dumais (Ventura, Calif./Buena), Carrera Harris (Shafter, Calif./Shafter) and Andrea Hupman (Lawrenceville, Ga./Brookwood).

Northwestern enters the meet with a 5-4 dual-meet record on the season, having defeated solid Notre Dame and Purdue squads in 2007-08. Ohio State enters the weekend as the victor in its last five dual competitions, compiling a 6-3 record overall. Both schools are receiving votes in the most recent (Jan. 18) College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) poll.

Northwestern traveled to No. 13 Michigan last weekend, getting impressive swims in the distance free events from sophomore Kassia Shishkoff (Raleigh, N.C./St. David's School). Shishkoff won the 500 free with an NCAA 'B' provisional qualifying and season-best time, while also swimming a season-best time in the 1,000 free.

Saturday's meet marks Northwestern's final competition before the Big Ten Championships Feb. 21-23 in Columbus, Ohio. The Wildcats will be looking to improve their seed times; coming into this weekend five different 'Cats have earned NCAA 'B' cuts in seven different events. NU also has 'B' times so far this year in the 200 free and 400 medley relays.