The UCSB women’s swim team will be looking to gain some momentum while the squad heads into the final stretch of its 2001-2002 season and today’s matchup against the University of San Diego at Campus Pool will be key.

The Gauchos will be looking to bounce back after a few subpar performances in their meets against UNLV and USC. Santa Barbara lost to the Runnin’ Rebels by eight points and were nearly kicked out of the pool against the Trojans.

UCSB takes on USD for their last home meet of the season today at 1 p.m. at Campus Pool.

“We have not swam well these last few meets,” UCSB Head Coach Gregg Wilson said. “We need to regroup and have a complete team effort where everyone does their part for the team.”

Despite the losses to USC and UNLV, the Gauchos defeated San Jose State last weekend 57-55 in a quick meet at Campus Pool. UCSB boasts an 11-5 record and is still in the hunt for their second consecutive Big West Championship.

USD comes into the meet on a roll, having defeated both Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount last weekend in a dual meet. The Toreros are lead by junior Carolyn Gorrick, a native of Australia, who according to Wilson, “can swim the butterfly events extremely well.”

The Gauchos will have to score a few more points, 18 more than usual to be exact, to win this meet. USD is one of only three swim programs on the West Coast to have a diving team and will automatically get 18 points for having divers.

“We need to win the relay events and take advantage of our team depth for us to win,” Wilson said.

Despite the fact that USD swims well, the Gauchos feel they have what it takes to swim well against them. Freshman Lindsay Dalonzo has swam extremely well all season long and will be the favorite to win the back events. Junior Romina Mosquera has been solid all season for the Gauchos in the distance freestyle events and will look to do well in the 1000 free today. Another Junior, Julia King has been Santa Barbara’s top sprinter, doing well in the 50 and 100 free events.

The meet against USD will be a crucial first step toward some tough competition that lies ahead for UCSB. After taking on the Toreros, the Gauchos will swim their biggest head-to-head meet of the year when they travel to Stockton to take on Big West rival Pacific. After duking it out with the Tigers the following week, the Big West Championship will be held at the Belmont Plaza in Long Beach. The Gauchos will be looking to repeat as Big West Champions.

“Besides trying to win today, we want to build up the team spirit necessary to do win conference,”senior co-captain Shelby Chandler said.

Agreeing with Chandler, senior co-captain Karin Finger further added, “we need to get more excited to swim if we are going to win.”