When an athlete makes the jump from high school and club level competition to collegiate athletics, they have already distinguished themselves as one of the most talented amateurs in their sport. Occasionally, this talent converges with a perfect environment, which separates them at the next level.
Freshman swimmer Kara Kopcso seems to have found her perfect environment at LSU, and her early season achievements suggest she is only beginning what could be a prolific career.
Kopsco earned Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week honors following the team’s first dual meet, which included a pair of victories in the 200-meter butterfly against Georgia and Arkansas.
She has already collected five victories in as many competitions and holds the fourth fastest 200 fly time in LSU history (1:59.08).
Despite being in her first official year as an LSU swimmer, Kopcso was no stranger to the LSU Natatorium when classes started in the fall.
Kopsco’s older sister, Jessica, is a senior on the swim team.
“Recruiting Kara’s older sister [Jessica] and having her come here gave us an opportunity to have Kara come on campus a lot more frequently,” said swimming coach Dave Geyer. “That relationship was able to form and build throughout that process a little bit.”
Kara credited her sister’s presence and her existing relationship with Geyer as part of the reason why her transition has been so smooth.
“My sister is my best friend and it’s awesome to be able to train with her,” Kara said. “The fact that we can come together and be a family with swimming is awesome.”
Family is a word that Kara frequently mentions when talking about swimming.
Kara said Kopsco family vacations were spent toiling away in the pool, preparing for future competitions rather than beach getaways and long buffet lines.
Beyond Jessica, Kara mentioned freshman swimmer Angele Cherbonnier as another teammate who she shares a family-like bond with on the team.
Kara and Cherbonnier competed in several meets throughout high school and club circuits before becoming teammates at LSU.
“We’ve grown up together in the sport,” Kara said. “I know no matter what, we will always be friends because of a common interest.”
Geyer said the family culture surrounding the LSU swimming team is significant because it allows freshmen like Kara to come in and focus on improving their skills rather than all the other adjustments that come with college life.
Once a young swimmer buys into what the coaches are saying, swimming becomes easy, Geyer said.
“You have to be able to walk through those purple doors everyday and know that you can be who you are, and that’s what we want,” Geyer said. “We want them to come in and feel comfortable with that family atmosphere.”
That atmosphere has propelled former freshmen, like divers Alex Bettridge and Cassie Weil, to SEC freshmen diver of the year accolades, and Kara hopes to do the same on the swimming side this year.
“My relationship with the coaches makes me want to go faster and make them proud and make LSU proud to have an accomplished swimmer,” Kara said.