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Speeding down the home stretch of the 2003-2004 swimming and diving season could not be more exciting for the UCLA team. Coach Cyndi Gallagher’s Bruins (7-2, 4-2 Pac-10) have already proven themselves against some of the top competition in the country, with an upset victory against No. 3 Stanford on Jan. 30 and a win at the Texas A&M Invitational in December.

Now, in the team’s final home dual meet of the season – its final chance to prepare for the defense its 2003 Pac-10 tournament title – No. 9 UCLA gets to face off against its archrival, No. 8 USC. The Trojans have won the last 10 matchups between the two teams.

“There is a lot of Bruin pride involved in winning this meet,” Gallagher said. “We know it is not only a big meet for us, but beating ’SC is big for our alumni, our athletic department and our school. We know how big this meet is.”

Recent history is not exactly on the Bruins’ side. The swim and dive squad is only 13-15 against the Trojans since 1975, and recent history is even more bleak. But history is not much of a concern for Gallagher.

“We are a better team than I have had in a long time,” Gallagher said. “We are swimming really well right now.”

A win against ’SC would be a gigantic morale boost for UCLA as they prepare to enter the Pac-10 Championships on Feb. 25. In 2003, the Bruins went into the Pac-10 championships with a 2-4 conference record; They won the tournament. This year, UCLA will come in as a far better team, and a win against USC would do more than merely improve the Bruins’ record. A second upset of a highly-ranked team would also greatly improve their confidence.

In the win over Stanford, UCLA received a major boost from the dive team, which outscored Stanford 21-17. If they are to upset the Trojans, the Bruins will again need a first-rate performance from sophomore Sara Clark, who won the three-meter platform against Stanford.

“I don’t think that we have to do anything different than what we have done so far this season,” diving coach Tom Stebbins said. “I am really pleased with how we have been training lately, and I am excited to go at it and duke it out with USC.”

The Bruins have recently enjoyed an appropriate atmosphere for a home swim meet. In past years, sparse crowds have watched UCLA compete at the Sunset Recreation Center, a lackluster venue for competition. In 2004, the Bruins have competed at the Student Activities Center pool, a more cozy setting that fills up for big meets.

“Finally,” Gallagher said. “After so many years, we have a real home-pool advantage.”

The Trojans may soon find out how loud a home-pool advantage can be.