After defending its home pool by defeating the University of New Orleans, the SIU men’s swimming team will welcome the University of Missouri to Carbondale Friday.

SIU coach Rick Walker said he would like to see his team compete against the Big 12 powerhouse, which has won two of its last three meets this season.

In their first meet of the year Oct. 18, the Tigers won the Show-Me Showdown in their home pool and followed with an Oct. 23 win against Texas A&M before taking second place at the Big 12 relays Oct. 24.

‘I would like to see our guys step up and race,’ Walker said. ‘If you were to ask me how we look, I think we look tough against them.’

The Salukis will have to face Mizzou’s top swimmer in senior Cameron Sellers. Sellers was the Big 12 swimmer of the month in October after his first place finish in the 200-yard free style and the 500-yard free style.

Saluki freshman Justin Wolfe, who was recruited by the Tigers last year as a senior in high school, said it should be a tough match.

‘I know they have a good program with a lot of depth,’ Wolfe said. ‘They’ll be strong all the way through the meet in every event.’

Walker said he would like to see SIU embrace the challenge of such a tough opponent.

‘If I don’t see somebody buckle just because it’s Missouri, it’s a successful meet,’ Walker said. ‘If we’re getting in there and getting after it and we’re being aggressive, then we’ll take what comes our way and move on.’

The Salukis have taken on all comers this season.

SIU began its season Oct. 4 by defeating Evansville and followed with another win against New Orleans Oct. 31 in its first home meet of the season.

Sophomore Kyle Riekena said he thinks the Salukis can still compete, despite Missouri’s high-profile status.

‘I would say we can make it close at least,’ Riekena said. ‘Winning would be extraordinary. We’ll see how we can do as a team.’

The event is the Salukis’ only meet of November – SIU won’t hit the pool again until Dec. 5 when they face the Tigers once more in the Missouri Invitational.

Stile Smith can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 282 or [email protected]