The old saying together we stand divided we fall held true as the Tigers’ swimming and diving teams won their relay but found little success in individual events.
The LSU men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams fell to Georgia on Friday, 138-99 and 132-106, respectively. The teams began the meet with early victories in the 400-yard medley relays. The Lady Tigers set a new school record in this event with a time of 3:44.69.
“I knew coming into this meet we were going against one of the top programs in the country,” said LSU coach Adam Schmitt. “We had some great highlights. Some of the relays were the highlights, like the school record for the women to start off the meet.”
Georgia won 16 of the 22 individual total events,excluding the relays.
Georgia freshman Kelsey Ditto set a new pool record with a time of 9:49.91 in the 1000-yard freestyle.
Georgia senior Chris Colwill took first in both the men’s 1-meter and 3-meter diving.
“I think [Schmitt] has really turned around the program here so when we came in we knew we were going to be in for it,” said Georgia head coach Jack Baurle. “We expected that we would have to swim well to win”
LSU won all four of the relays including a close 200-yard freestyle relay on the men’s side.
“I’m really excited about [the relays] because that shows that we have a good core group,” said LSU junior Katie Gilmore. “I am excited about what that means at the end of the season”
Gilmore took first place in the 50-yard freestyle and was a part of both of the Lady Tigers’ relays.
LSU junior Katherine Noland won the 100-yard freestyle and gave her team an early lead in the 200 freestyle relay.
“They are maturing as athletes and taking the team on their back,” Schmitt said. “They know what their goals are, and they have some high goals. Based on their performance today, I can say that some of those goals are attainable.”
LSU senior Paige Brown took first place in the women’s 3-meter diving.
The men’s team also won both of its relays.
Tiger seniors Kevin Braud and Miko Malberg gave the men their only individual victories of the meet.
Malberg took first in the 50-yard freestyle.
Braud won Southeastern Conference swimmer of the week after his performance at South Carolina this past weekend and lived up to his title this week winning the 200-yard backstroke.
“It was a big honor, but it didn’t affect how I swam.” Braud said. “I just wanted to get a win for the team.”
—-Contact Amos Morale at [email protected]