Team ready to avenge only loss

Heading into their first competition since suffering the only loss of the season, the IU women's swim team prepares to host interstate rival Kentucky. The No. 17 Hoosiers face the Wildcats on Senior Day at the Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center at 5 p.m tonight.\nThe 7-1 Hoosiers (5-1 Big Ten) last competed in East Lansing, Mich., where they defeated Michigan State but lost to Penn State. At MSU, the Nittany Lion squad was too consistent, quelling the Hoosier comeback efforts, in closing out the meet by winning the final three events.\n"We're past (the loss), hopefully," coach Dorsey Tierney said. "We are still getting healthier from the flu some had, but we are ready to get in and race."\nTonight, the Hoosiers attack their final meet as preparation for the Big Ten Championships, to be held on the Purdue campus later this month. Ranked only three spots lower on the College Swimming Coaches Association poll since their loss, IU looks to regain the momentum they lost two weeks earlier.\n"We feel a little better in the water," senior Kristy Martin said. "It will be important to focus on the little things this weekend."\nThe Wildcats, 2-5 (0-4 in the Southeastern Conference) face a tough test in taking on the Hoosiers, who will be determined and focused after their only loss of the season. The Kentucky team has some strong swimmers competing in the distance and relay events, but the depth of the Hoosier squad poses a serious threat to the upset-minded Wildcats.\n"We are excited to get in and race while we're rested," Tierney said. "It will be a good opportunity to work on some things before the Conference meet. Our conditioning has been great. Speed is our number one focus, but overall, we need to concentrate on the little things."\nThe relays have been a focus point for the Hoosiers all season long. Tierney said tonight's meet against Kentucky will be a good warm-up for aspects needing improvement.\nWhile the Hoosiers stress they want to focus their goals one week at a time, the seniors realize the importance of success in their final meet at home. One senior who will be recognized in the pre-meet, Senior Day ceremonies is Colleen McCracken, who holds the second-best time in IU history in both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke.\nMcCracken, who looks to improve on her outstanding career as a Hoosier, said her goals for the remainder of the season are, "to have the best races of my life and make this (year's) Big Tens unforgettable."\nAlso being honored as a part of Senior Day is standout diver Sara Hildebrand. An NCAA All-American, Hildebrand competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The Minnesota native wrapped up her junior season by winning the Big Ten Championship on both the one-meter and three-meter events, and subsequently was named IU's co-Female Athlete-of-the-Year.\nIn her senior season, Hildebrand has added numerous victories and awards to her already stellar resume. Most notably, Hildebrand lead the Hoosiers in winning the Speedo American Cup, an illustrious meet in January where she outdistanced international competition, including 2000 Canadian Olympian Blythe Hartley.\nAlso on her long list of accolades, Hildebrand was named Big Ten Diver of the Week after her performance against rival Purdue.