After a weekend away from the pool, the LSU swimming and diving teams will travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to compete against Alabama and Auburn on Saturday. The event begins at 11 a.m. in the Alabama Aquatic Center.
The women (1-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) are coming off an impressive outing at the SMU Classic in Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 17-18. Fast starts over the two-day event were key in the Lady Tigers’ top-overall placing, as they posted first-place finishes in both the 400-medley relay and a meet-record time in the 200-medley relay.
The men (0-1, 0-1 SEC) will return to action for the first time since Oct. 10, when they lost to Florida, 162.5-122.5, in Gainesville. 
Swimming coach Dave Geyer said that with the existing rivalry between Auburn and Alabama, he expects fierce competition at this weekend’s meet.
“I already told the kids we’re going to see some fast times,” Geyer said. “Both programs are going to be prepared to race, [and] we’re going to be prepared to race. For us and them too, it’s about that process of getting ready for [the SEC and NCAA Championships].”
Geyer said he is looking for the seniors on both sides to mentor the younger swimmers who have yet to compete in a hostile environment. He said he wants his seniors to stress to the underclassmen that they can’t be intimidated by the intensity of SEC competition.
Senior swimmers Amber Carter and Frank Greef said both sides spent time working on the small details in their swimming techniques to have sharper showings in the future. 
Greef said the women’s performance at the SMU Classic gives the men’s side motivation because it indicates LSU’s swimming and diving program is on the rise.
“Winning the SMU Classic is good motivation for showing the guys that no matter who we are, we are capable of winning meets, and we can compete at the national level,” Greef said. “The girls are setting the tone at the moment, so the guys have to follow in their footsteps.”
Diving coach Doug Shaffer said both Alabama and Auburn have great teams, great coaching staffs and great athletes. He said he feels good about his team’s opportunity to compete head-to-head against two perennial SEC powers.
Shaffer said senior divers Cassie Weil and Alex Bettridge each put forth good performances in the Florida meet and SMU Classic, respectively. With the entire team back together, he said he wants each member to have a good outing to build on moving forward.
“I’m looking for each and every one of our divers to improve on their current level of performance as we prepare, train and develop toward the goals that we have at the end of the season,” Shaffer said. “I want the whole team to dive well, and individually, I want each of them to make progress.”