Swimming and diving face Kentucky at home

TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama swimming and diving team hits the water for the first time in the New Year on Saturday when they close out their regular season home schedule against the Kentucky Wildcats.

It will be Senior Day on the deck of the Don Gambril Olympic Pool as the Crimson Tide honors five of their own, Erin Sparks, Kim Singer, Stephanie Johnson, Mike Jones and Austin Shirey in their last home dual meet.

"Erin, Stephanie, Mike, Kim and Austin have all, in their own way, made a contribution to the success and have helped us build this program and push it in the direction we want to go," head coach Eric McIlquham said. "We're proud of what they've accomplished and look forward to them going out with a bang."

Unlike most senior classes though, this year's group will have another chance to compete in the Alabama Aquatic Center after Saturday. The Crimson Tide is hosting the 2008 Southeastern Conference Championships February 20-23. It marks the first time the championships have been in Tuscaloosa since 2001.

But before the league championships roll into town, Alabama faces Kentucky. The two teams match up well, especially on the women's side of the meet where things could easily come down to the final relay. On the men's side the biggest battles will likely come in the backstroke and breaststroke events as well as off the diving boards.

Alabama is returning to competition for the first time since early December when the Tide hosted the Alabama Classic. McIlquham's crew has been far from idle though. Right after exams, the swimmers headed to Boca Raton, Fla. and the divers to Houston, Texas for a week-long training camp. Just before the New Year, everyone returned to Tuscaloosa for a two-week training camp before school started back in the second week of January.

The meet starts at 1 p.m. at the Alabama Aquatic Center and admission is free.