The TCU men’s swimming and diving team will compete against Air Force in its first Mountain West Conference dual meet of the year on Friday at 4 p.m. at the University Recreation Center.

This past season, the men won every dual meet in the Mountain West Conference, an accomplishment they hope to defend this season. Head coach Richard Sybesma said TCU was the surprise team in the conference, but that this year would be a little different.

“Everybody is ready for us,” Sybesma said. “So I know that Air Force will come in here trying to burst our bubble, and we’re not gonna let that happen.”

Scotty Smidlein, a junior swimmer and entrepreneurial management major, said Air Force is one of the toughest teams in the Mountain West.

“We brought it to them last year at their house and I think it took them by surprise,” Smidlein said. “This year we do not have that luxury. They are coming to win with everything they have.”

Going into the meet, Sybesma said that Air Force was strong in the butterfly, the individual medley and the sprint freestyle, while TCU was better in the butterfly, the backstroke, the relays and diving.

Sybesma said the meet will be a close match and each university may win in each division. He said he expects the team to be ready for competition.

Much like the MWC basketball season, each team in the conference will compete against each other before the conference tournament at the season’s end. Sybesma said there is a regular season champion and a tournament champion.

With the season under way, the Horned Frog swimming and diving team has several events coming up. The team will be signing autographs in Frog Alley on Saturday from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

TCU vs. Air Force

Date: Oct. 22

Place: University Recreation Center Natatorium

Time: 4 p.m.