Sweeping Tulane and North Carolina State in successive days, the Lady Tigers (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) impressed swimming coach Dave Geyer with their quick turnaround.
“The body and mind’s reaction of getting the win [against Tulane] last night and carrying on the deck today was huge,” Geyer said. “Point-wise, [the NC State meet] played out just as I thought it’d play out.”
Saturday, the Lady Tigers started off the meet in grand style, then grinded out a 167-132 victory over the Wolfpack.
Leading off with the 200 medley relay, the Lady Tigers’ quartet of freshman Caley Oquist, senior Torrey Bussey, junior Rainey White and sophomore Amber Carter set a new LSU Natatorium record, touching the wall in 1:41.97.
After the Wolfpack answered with three consecutive victories, Bussey stole momentum with a season best in the 100-yard breaststroke – one of her three individual victories in the afternoon – the others in the 200-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard individual medley.
“That’s a tough triple that she’s gotten used to,” Geyer said. “It’s a physical toll, but she’s a tough woman and can handle that.”
Freshman diver Cassie Weil swept the one-meter and three-meter springboard, giving her five wins in her first six collegiate appearances.
The Lady Tigers won every event on the road in a 174-69 victory against the Green Wave Friday night, led by White and Carter, who picked up two victories apiece.
White also swam the third leg of the first place 200-medley relay, joining Bussey, Oquist and freshman Taryn MacKenzie.
Weil continued her breakout season on the road, nabbing the title on the three-meter springboard while sophomore Alex Bettridge claimed the one-meter springboard crown.
“She’s a solid performer that’s competing every single time she’s given the opportunity,” said diving coach Doug Shaffer. “She’s got high goals for the championship season, so she’s using every opportunity to better that.”
Shaffer praised his divers for taking the less-than-ideal schedule and still giving excellent performances.
“We try to develop strength in character,” Shaffer said. “Every time I’ve pushed, every time I challenged them, they’ve always stepped up to the plate and gave it their all.”
