More than 600 swimmers from four states are expected to participate in the Roger Hill Invitational Swim Meet this weekend.

The meet, sponsored by the Lawrence Aquahawks, begins today and runs through Sunday at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center at Free State High.

“We’re just happy to be there,” Aquahawks coach Brian Barnes said. “We’re happy to be the host and we’re proud of the meet. It’s a big deal for the club. It’s one huge team effort.”

Another aspect of the weekend that pleases Barnes is the location. The meet moved to the center, which features 10 lanes, last year after taking place at the city pool, which has just eight lanes.

“It’s a bonus,” Barnes said. “It’s terrific. It’s bigger, so it helps with the size of the meet and allowing it to get a little bigger.”

The indoor pool allows faster times as well, since the deeper water and better guttering system produce fewer disturbances in the water.

“The guttering system absorbs more waves,” Barnes said, “and you get the benefit of deep water through about half the course, which cuts down on waves. It’s just less turbulent, and the less turbulence you have the faster you can swim.”

Barnes said he expected teams from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma to take part in the meet, which is one of the largest age-group competitions in the Midwest.

Awards will be given to the top eight finishers in each individual event and the top three places in the relays. Although awards will not be given to teams, Barnes said he expected the usual squads to provide the top individual talent.

“We don’t really track team scores,” he said, “but some of the big competition that’s coming into town includes, of course, the Aquahawks, the Kansas City Blazers, the Wichita Swim Club, Swim Tulsa, Swim Omaha and the Topeka Swim Assn.”

Today’s events begin with the 8-and-under division at 4:30 p.m. Early competition Saturday and Sunday the 9-10 and 11-12 age groups begins at 8:15 a.m., and the second session both days the 13-14 and senior groups begins at 2:15 p.m.