LITTLE ROCK - The UALR swimming and diving team returns to the pool Thursday night-Saturday (Nov. 29-Dec. 1) for its annual UALR Christmas Invitational. It will be the final meet in calendar year 2012.

"We look at this weekend as our midterm exam, and are hoping to see many in-season best times this weekend," head coach Amy Burgess explained. "Having a home invitational seems to bring out the best in the team. Having the comfort of competing in your own pool and sleeping in your own bed makes a big difference.

"I do think the girls step it up at home meets and it is nice having more fans in the stands," Burgess said.

With the third meet of month, UALR is looking to improve upon an already successful November. The Trojans claimed a victory in the Henderson State Invite Nov. 9-10. While UALR finished fourth the following weekend at the Drury Invitational, UALR swimmers turned in season-best times in five individual events and in a relay. Top improved times include the 400 free relay team of senior Amber Kelly, juniors Kara Raney and Holly Myers and freshman Valeriya Teplova by three seconds (3:34.75).

Teplova also turned in her best time in the 200 free by more than 1:30 at Drury (1:57.99). It was the best on the team thus year by 0.70.

With a pair of thirds at Drury, freshman Megan Scott claimed her third Sun Belt Conference Diver of the Week honors Nov. 21.  She provisionally qualified for the NCAA championships at the Hendrix Classic Oct. 26 with a total of 295.40 on the 1-meter springboard.

"Every meet this season we have seen the team grow closer together and learn to compete. Every meet someone new has stepped up and made a difference in their respective events. They have also shown a growth in confidence and I hope that continues as the season moves on," Burgess said.

The annual Christmas Invitational is set to begin Thursday night at 6 p.m. and continue all day Friday and Saturday.