The LSU men’s swimming and diving team fought until the last race Wednesday, but No. 3 Florida defeated No. 17 LSU in the season opener at the Natatorium, 166-131. The Gators got off to a fast start, winning the first four events. “We got a little edge up on [the Tigers] because we did swim a meet against a good Michigan team,” said Florida coach Gregg Troy. “It kind of woke us a little bit.” LSU coach Adam Schmitt said he was hoping to use this meet to see what he had and said he has an idea about what the Tigers will work on when they get back to practice.”Details,” Schmitt said. “We’re tired right now. We’ve been training pretty hard. I just know that’s when turns fall apart and starts fall apart.” Freshman Ben Decker grabbed the Tigers’ first victory of the afternoon in the 100 breast. “Ben was recruited as a 100-breastroker,” Schmitt said. “As a freshman stepping in there and winning the event — that was great.”Senior Niko Dalman won the 1-meter springboard with a score of 346.72. “I pretty much just let it all hang out,” Dalman said. “I was fresh for the first event and did what I had to do.”Senior Connor Farber tried to give his team a spark after the first diving break. Farber won the 100 free with a time of 45.38. “I came out with a little fire,” Farber said. “It worked out pretty well. It was a good race and a good time for right now in the season.” Farber also took second in the fly after a hard fought battle with Florida’s Omar Pinzon. ”I felt good the entire way,” Farber said. “I knew he had a strong last wall. I tried to stay under as long as possible. He had a great breakout. It was just tough to catch him after that. It was too short.”Senior Julius Gloeckner added a victory in the 200 individual medley. The Tigers followed his lead and ended the meet on a high note, winning the 200 freestyle relay.”Winning the last two events is great,” Schmitt said. “You go out knowing you competed well. The guys didn’t give up. They were still engaged in the meet the whole time.”The Lady Tigers host Florida at the LSU Natatorium at 2:00 p.m. today.—-Contact Amos Morale at [email protected]