UT Set to Host Annual Spartan Invite
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's and women's swimming program is set to host its fifth annual Spartan Invite, which will include nine schools competing over four days at The Long Center in Clearwater.
The 2019 Spartan Invitational will feature morning prelims and evening finals on Monday through Thursday. The prelims will begin at 9:30 a.m., each day. The finals start at 6 p.m., on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The finals on Thursday will start at 5 p.m.
In addition to the Spartans, Sunshine State Conference opponents Florida Southern College, Nova Southeastern University and Saint Leo University will also compete. The remainder of the field includes Catawba College, Indian River State College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, University of West Florida (women only) and Wingate University.
Several of the nation's top teams will be represented, as the UT women are No. 8 nationally while its men come in at No. 14. The Spartans expect a stiff challenge from Nova Southeastern, who enters at No. 6 in both the men's and women's rankings. Saint Leo also brings a pair of ranked teams, including their No. 21 men and No. 23 women. Florida Southern's men are ranked No. 16. Wingate also brings a pair of top teams, ranked No. 8 and 7 in the men's and women's poll. Indian River will also compete, representing the NJCAA as a perennial powerhouse.
The Long Center, located at 1501 North Belcher Road in Clearwater, boasts an Olympic-sized indoor pool and a heated training pool. The multipurpose facility has hosted major events including the US Water Polo Open Championships, Speedo Champions Swimming Series, AAU Swimming & Diving National Championships, Clearwater Aquatics Team Junior Olympics and the Canadian College Volleyball Winter Training. Click here for directions to The Long Center.
The facility is a 10-lane, 50-meter by 20-lane, 25-yard pool that varies in depth from 12 feet at the start end to four feet at the turn end. A separate three-lane, 25-yard pool will be available for continuous warm-up and warm-down throughout the meet. The meet will be swum in a single 8-lane, 25-yard course for both the Preliminary and Finals sessions. There is permanent bleacher seating available for 294 people along with an additional standing room only section directly behind the bleachers for viewing the competition. Colorado Timing System will be used in conjunction with Hy-Tek software.
All spectators will be charged $5 per session for admissions. Heat sheets will be included with the cost. All-session passes will be available for purchase for $30.
UT will offer a free video-only broadcast of the Finals on each day through TampaSpartans.tv. Live scoring will be available through the Meet Mobile app.