University of Houston Athletics
Ginger Hurley Chat Wrap
3/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
March 18, 2002
Moderator: Good morning or afternoon everyone,
Thanks for your patience today. We are fortunate to have UH swimming and diving head coach Ginger Hurley with us this morning to answer some of your questions.
Diving coach Jane Figueiredo could not be with us today, but there's a good reason for that. She is getting ready to head to Austin, Texas, for the NCAA Championships this weekend with junior diver Yulia Pakhalina.
Coach Hurley is now here and we can begin with some of your questions.
Carlos (Houston): Hi Coach, Two questions for you. 1. Who is the toughest competition to beat in C-USA? 2. Has the new swimming and diving facilty helped with recruiting the next generation of Cougar champions?
Ginger Hurley: The toughest is obviously Cincinnati since they won the Conference championships in February. It's to be determined for next season once recruiting is finished. The new facility is starting to help with recruiting. Locally, the kids are starting to look at UH. Until we get in the building and it's opened and the word of mouth spreads, then we will see the full impact. The Houston and Texas kids are really starting to look at us more, though.
Carlos (Houston): Is there any chance that UH could host future conference championship meets with the new facility?
Ginger Hurley: The plan is for Houston to host the C-USA Championships in February 2004 and to continue the host until another school gets a facility that meets the meet requirements. Louisville is the next school to open a facility. Rob (Katy): How do you think the team did at the C-USA Meet?
Ginger Hurley: Overall, we did well. We had some key injuries throughout the season that hurt our finish place without a doubt. You have some ups and downs at every championships swimming meet. Not every swimmer puts up a best time. For the most part, the team swam season or career best times. We were just a little short depth-wise at the top on the swimming side. Susan (Conroe): What do you think Yulia will do this weekend?
Ginger Hurley: We hope that she defends her two national titles. The one-meter will be a close competition. In the three-meter, she should defend her title. There is a good Canadian diver at USC that should provide great competition. Cathy (Pearland): How would you rate the team's overall performance this season?
Ginger Hurley: For the most part, we are pleased. We came up short in a few areas, mostly with the freshmen making a year of adjustment to a more intense training program. They were a little disappointed. Freshman year is a tough adjustment, leaving one program and coming to another. By the time they become sophomores, we are seeing more improvement. I am very pleased with their attitudes. With spring training starting, everyone is upbeat. Roger (Alvin): What are your recruiting plans for next season?
Ginger Hurley: We signed three early. We would like to sign another three. We obviously want local talent if possible. We have a void in the distance freestyle events that we are trying to fill with our three seniors graduation, especially in the mile. We have a void there we need to fill. But we will look at any young talent, even if we are deep there. We also had three freshmen last year who took a redshirt so they will be added to the team like a recruiting class. Moderator: Thanks to UH swimming and diving head coach Ginger Hurley for her time today and thanks again to all you Cougar fans for joining us today.
Just a reminder that diver Yulia Pakhalina will be in action at the NCAA Championships on March 21-23 in Austin, Texas.
Thanks again everyone and have a great day.
NCAA Diving Zones, Day 3
Wednesday, March 13
NCAA Diving Zones, Day 2
Tuesday, March 12
NCAA Diving Zones, Day 1
Monday, March 11
Swimming & Diving: University of Houston vs. SMU
Saturday, February 03