The LSU swimming and diving teams begin their 2014-2015 campaign with the Purple and Gold Intrasquad meet this Friday at 3 p.m. at the LSU Natatorium.
Swimming coach Dave Geyer said he’s excited about the mixture of returning veterans, led by senior captains Amber Carter and Frank Greeff, and an influx of talented new swimmers for this season’s team.
He said great leadership from Carter, Greeff and the other upperclassmen will be the backbone and tone-setter for everything the team does this season.
Both the women’s and men’s squads finished the 2013-2014 season with records of 6-3 and 3-3 in dual match play, respectively, while both sides had a 1-3 record in Southeastern Conference meets. Geyer said the focus this year is to take the necessary steps toward the SEC Championships and eventually the NCAA Championships.
“If we’re on the winning side of some of these dual meets, that’s great,” Geyer said. “If we’re finishing second in these meets, then as long as we’re showing that right progression in our individual performances or the team, that’s what we need to do to excel in our conference.”
Because the Natatorium underwent renovations during the summer, and the closest Division I facility available is in Houston, working collectively as a unit was a challenge. The swimmers and divers used the time apart to perfect their crafts individually.
Junior diver Cassie Weil and sophomore swimmer Kara Kopsco earned valuable experience participating in national competitions this summer. Weil posted two top-eight finishes at the AT&T Diving Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee from Aug. 12 to 17 while Kopsco represented the United States at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Maui, Hawaii, from Aug. 27 to 30.
Geyer said the summer is about the athletes’ respective individual goals and desired accomplishments. He added competing in any national competition will only boost the players’ morales.
“[At these events], they’re racing against national champions and Olympians,” Geyer said. “Any time you have the opportunity at any point of the season to compete at the elite level, it gives you that confidence moving forward with that.”
Diving coach Doug Shaffer said great chemistry and great leadership already exists within the team but stressed continuing to move forward will be the biggest contribution for their success.
“Every single day, every single competition, every single time we do weights, it all builds towards that [success],” Shaffer said. “Staying focused on the target and utilizing every single day to the best of your ability to work towards obtaining that goal.”