The LSU swimming and diving team dropped its season-opening dual meet at home on Friday, as the men and women were swept by the Georgia Bulldogs.
Georgia beat the Tigers (0-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) by a score of 180-112 and the Lady Tigers fell 170.5-118.5. The Lady Tigers (0-2, 0-2 SEC) then fell to Arkansas 180-120 on Saturday.
Despite the losses, LSU was able to hang its hat on an impressive diving performance. Senior diver Sean McKinney swept the diving events with a score of 378.15 on the 1-meter and a 370.95 on the 3-meter against Georgia.
Both scores were high enough to qualify for NCAA Zone Diving Regionals.
“Overall really positive and encouraging things,” said diving coach Doug Shaffer. “Sean McKinney’s a double winner, career high scorer on 1-meter and NCAA regional score and NCAA zone score for 1-meter and 3-meter. That’s obviously a highlight.”
The Lady Tiger divers also found success against the Bulldogs.
Sophomore diver Cassie Weil won the women’s 3-meter event as she posted a score 332.63, while junior Alex Bettridge posted a score of 272.33 in the 1-meter, which was good for a second place finish.
“On the women’s side, we were positioned where we could have won both the 1-meter and the 3-meter,” Shaffer said. “You know, I call it a little jitters, I put some pressure on them. Maybe that got to us a little bit.”
Freshman swimmer Kara Kopcso had a successful start to her collegiate career as she won the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:59.06 against the Bulldogs.
She continued her stellar start against Arkansas on Saturday with another victory in the 200-yard butterfly (2:01.00).
“That’s our expectation of her,” said swimming coach Dave Geyer. “She’s a very talented young lady and that’s why we recruited her. It’s nice to have that confidence in our lineup where she’s going to be a go-to girl.”
Kopcso said her strong start will do wonders for her confidence as she moves forward this season and continues to compete against some of the best teams in the nation.
“It feels good to be able to represent LSU,” Kopcso said. “I’m from Louisiana and a Tiger through and through so it’s a great accomplishment for myself and the team to come out with a win in a couple matches that were difficult.”
The Tigers will stay home for a dual match against Tulane at 6 p.m. on Friday in the LSU Natatorium.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Mariel Gates

LSU junior Matt Schaefer and the other swimmers prepare to dive in for their men's 1000 freestyle event on Friday October 18, 2013 at the LSU vs. Georgia swim meet in the Natatorium.