CONWAY, Ark. (Jan. 25, 2008) – More than 250 Arkansas high school swimmers and divers will be in Conway Saturday to take part in the 45th annual Hendrix College High School Invitational Swimming and Diving meet – one of the longest-running high school athletic events in the state.
The event will take place at Hendrix’s aquatic center located inside its new $24 million Wellness and Athletics Center. The pool is aptly named for former Hendrix swimming coach Bob Courtway, who organized the first high school invitational meet at the college more than four decades ago.
In all, 22 high schools will be represented at the meet, with more than 250 male and female athletes participating. Diving events will begin at 9 a.m. and swimming events will begin at noon.
“When Bob Courtway started the meet 45 years ago, it became a huge boost to high school swimming in Arkansas,” said Jim Kelly, Hendrix’s current swimming and diving coach. “Now it has become so big, it’s bigger than the state meet. With our new facilities here, we’re looking forward to showing them off to high school swimmers from all over the state.”
The aquatic center is highlighted by an 8-lane 25 yard x 25 meter pool and a diving area. The pool utilizes a high-tech “rim flow” system that decreases wave activity and creates a faster swim environment. Participants can also enjoy the sun porch that is located on the south end of the center and a retractable roof that allows fresh air to be circulated throughout the pool area.
Along with the aquatic center, the WAC includes an indoor track, four indoor tennis courts, a gymnasium and special events center, an indoor soccer court, a 26-foot-high climbing wall, a sun porch and a retractable roof; and a state-of-the-art fitness center with treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bicycles equipped with internet access, free weights, and other fitness components. It opened in August.
The WAC is located in the heart of Hendrix’s athletic facilities, which include a new artificial turf field for lacrosse and field hockey, a softball and baseball complex, tennis courts and the existing soccer facility. The athletics area is located adjacent to the planned Village at Hendrix, a multi-use area that will include residential and commercial elements east of Harkrider.
Hendrix, founded in 1876, is a selective, residential, undergraduate liberal arts college emphasizing experiential learning in a demanding yet supportive environment. The college is among 165 colleges featured in the 2008 edition of the Princeton Review America’s Best Value Colleges. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu, or contact Mark Scott at scottm@hendrix.edu or 501-450-1462.