For the Eastern men’s and women’s swim teams, this Saturday’s home meet will be the calm before the storm.

The ‘calm’ will be Saint Louis University heading into the Lantz Natatorium before the ‘storm’ of the Midwest Classic Championships the weekend of Feb. 20.

Fans are usually treated to an exciting afternoon of swimming while this men’s meet pales in comparison to the Panthers’ conference championship, when Saint Louis and Eastern get together, said Billiken head coach Jim Halliburton.

“I think it will be a good, real close swim,” Halliburton said. “Last time out (Eastern’s 129-112 victory Nov. 20 in Saint Louis) Eastern was stronger in the freestyle while we were better in the stroke events so it should be a close meet.”

Three reasons why Eastern was able to dominate the freestyle events were Rich Wahlgren, Tom Watson and Bill Senese. The three swimmers have led the Panthers all year long as this meet seems to be no different.

Each was on display last weekend against Indiana University -Purdue University at Indianapolis and the trio made their presence felt.

Wahlgren set the pace early for the Panthers by winning the 200 free in 1:47.47. It was the ninth time this year the senior took the top spot in that event. Wahlgren also placed second in the 50 free and was part of the victorious 200-free relay team.

Watson, a junior from Bloomington, had two first place finishes in the 500 free and the marathon 1000 free. Watson’s time of 9:57.25 in the 1000 free was more than six seconds closer than his nearest competitor, Brian Wheeler of IUPUI.

Senese matched Watson with two individual wins in the 100 back stroke and sprint event 100 free. The Amos A. Stagg graduate has been the Panthers’ freshman of the year with 16 individual wins, and has surprised many including Eastern head coach Ray Padovan.

“We knew he would be good because times (in high school) are times, but we didn’t think he would be this good.”

The three Panther freestylers will have to be solid to offset Billiken’s sophomore sensation John Stoneburner. The Ohio native turned in another record-setting performance last week competing against Lindenwood and Illinois Tech when he lowered his school record in the 100 breast to 59.78. He also added victories in the 200 free and 100 back.

“He’s done really well this season,” Halliburton said. “He broke the school record in the 100 breast last week and earlier this year he set the school record in the 200 individual medley.”

Halliburton praised Stoneburner’s flexibility because the sophomore can compete in a plethora of events.

“He’s a very versatile swimmer,” Halliburton said. “That’s nice for us cause we can move him around in events where we may be weak and the other team is strong.”

While this has been Stoneburner’s breakout season Halliburton said he was successful freshman year when he set the Billiken record in the 200 breast and posted the team’s best time in seven of the 14 events he placed in.

“He was good as a freshman but he has been much better this year,” Halliburton said.

The Panther women will be looking for revenge against the Billikens after Saint Louis’ 147-91 victory back on Nov. 20. However, since that loss the Panther women have been on a tear, winning their last four dual meets in a row to reach the .500 mark at 5-5 on the season.

“Again, it should be a close meet but I’d say we’re probably the favorite because we were victories last time out,” Halliburton said.

According to Halliburton, the Billikens appear stronger in the individual medley and the freestyle events while the diving competition is up for grabs on paper.

Diving has been Eastern’s strong point the last two weeks thanks to junior Lindsae Blades. The Pekin resident has won the one and three meter dives against Valparaiso and IUPUI the past two meets and has eight victories on the year.

“Lindsae Blades is really doing well,” Padovan said. “She’s set a few school records this year.”

Both teams are setting their sights on respective conference tournaments with Saint Louis competing in the Conference-USA Tournament in late February and Eastern appearing in the Midwest Classic Championship. Halliburton did say he wouldn’t mind seeing the Billikens come out victorious against the Panthers in what he calls a friendly rivalry.

“This is what I consider a ‘nice’ rivalry because we meet twice a year and are so close,” Halliburton said. “It’s only a two-hour drive either way.”

The last dual meet of the year for the Panthers will start at 12 p.m.