WASHINGTON (November 2, 2017) – After nearly three weeks away from competition, Coach Nicholas Askew and the Howard University Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving teams return home for a pair of matches.
 
Friday's (Nov. 3) meet against Mount St. Mary's (MSM) starts 6 p.m. Saturday's (Nov. 4) action versus Virginia Military Institute (VMI) begins 1 p.m.
 
MEET PREVIEW
 
MOUNT ST. MARY'S
 
The women's team is a perfect 8-0 all-time against Howard after defeating the Bison by a 169-91 margin a season ago. The men's team was topped by Howard in their matchup last season, 161-107.
 
The women's squad looks to capture their fifth straight victory to open the campaign, which would mark the best start to a season in program history. They earned a pair of victories over VMI in the first two meets of the season, and followed with wins over Monmouth (146-116) and Saint Peter's (134-57) two weeks ago to move to 4-0 on the season.
 
The men's team sits at 2-3 on the year in just their second season of competition. MSM earned their first victory in program history, a 119-95 triumph over VMI in early October, and followed with another win over Monmouth, 134-128, the next weekend.
 
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
 
VMI men opened the season with a 107-98 victory over Mount St. Mary's; however, the Cadets have dropped its last two meets against MSM (95-119) and Virginia Tech (41-221).
 
The women continue its pursuit for their first win of the season (0-5). VMI dropped both meets at Mount St. Mary's, followed by losses to Liberty (35-215), Virginia Tech (32-222), and Queens (34-216).
 
HOWARD
 
Divers Austin Rogers and Christian Nickolas look to continue their success after being named Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Divers of the Weeks back on Oct. 17.
 
In their victory over American, Speakman Smith took first in two individual events: 200-yard individual medley and 200-yard breaststroke. He was also part of the 400-yard medley relay team with Don Brazelton, Alex Barnes, and Sidrell Williams.
 
Brazelton and Williams joined Mark McCuskey and Kegan Ford to win the men 400-yard freestyle relay at a time of 3:15.12.
 
Darrin Asphall claimed the top spot in two events: 1000-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle.
 
On Oct. 14, Kasandra Kaplan claimed the top spot in the women's 100-yard backstroke while Latroya Pina finished the 100-yard breaststroke with a 1:11.66 time. Additionally, Kaplan teamed with DeAngela Fobbs, Leanne McMaster and Danni Brown to win the women's 400-yard freestyle relay.
 
LAST MEET
 
On Oct. 13, HU men defeated American University (AU) in its home debut, 134-102, inside Burr Pool. Overall, the Bison took first in eight out of 13 events. Rogers and Smith were honored with the team's Golden Goggles, Howard's most outstanding male performers of the meet.
 
The next day (Oct. 14), the Bison came up short against George Washington, 136-85, at Burr Pool. Maalik Nixon earned the team's Golden Goggles after winning the men's 50-yard freestyle by a tenth of a second over George Washington's Patrick Lersch.
 
For the women, they dropped its home opener against crosstown rival AU, 184-57, at Burr Pool. Marina Markous earned the team's Golden Goggles by winning the women's 200-yard breaststroke with a 2:31.20 time.
 
HU earned a split with Chowan and George Washington. Howard defeated the Hawks, 134-66, but fell short against the Colonials, 127-80. Nickolas earned the team's Golden Goggles after defeating two Colonials in the one-meter dive.
 
THEME
 
This weekend's theme is Military Appreciation where the Bison will have a special salute prior to the first diving event.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
HU hits the road where they will face three opponents in two days.
 
Howard goes to Ashland, Va. to meet Hampden-Sydney and Randolph-Macon Friday. The action starts 6 p.m.
 
Saturday (Nov. 11), the Bison travel to Wilson, N.C. for a dual meet against Barton College. First race at 1 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.