FAIRFAX, Va. – Due to the Department of Defense directive that all intercollegiate athletic competitions at the Service Academies be suspended as a result of the government shutdown, Thursday afternoon's men's and women's swimming & diving meet has been cancelled. 

Previously scheduled for Thursday at 4 p.m., the competition between Mason, Navy and Loyola hosted by the United States Naval Academy will no longer take place. All Naval Academy varsity and club sports have been cancelled through Sunday due to the government shutdown. 

Friday's swimming & diving meet at American University will take place as scheduled. Competition is slated to begin at 3 p.m. Coach Peter Ward is excited to see how the team will compete this season. 

"The women are a very young squad and very balanced. We have a big freshman class and I'm really excited to see what they can do", said Ward. "With some very good returning swimmers and a lot of new, young talent the women should be a much improved team from last year."

"The (men) are very well balanced across the board with different events and all four classes. We have seniors that lead us in Fernando Rubio and Joey Kelly and Nick Guttendorf who have performed very, very well for us and we have a great group of freshman who are ready to go."