The LSU women’s swimming and diving team got its first win of the season Friday and beat Tulane, 175-117, in spectacular fashion.
The Tigers placed first in 13 out of 16 events despite many of the LSU swimmers being placed in events they didn’t normally swim.Freshman Rebecca St. Germain, junior Jane Trepp, sophomore Mary Beck and junior Kannon Betzen each won two events en route to the Tiger victory.”Overall I think we all swim pretty well considering everyone was in their off events,” said LSU assistant coach Jessica Botzum. “Good swims all around considering that’s not where they’re normally put.”Freshman Amanda Kendall, normally a sprinter, placed second in the 500-yard freestyle, the second longest event of the meet. Barnett placed first in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a season best time of 10 minutes, 19.30 seconds.The divers also had solid performances in the meet, placing first and second in both events.St. Germain had career best dives in the meter and 3-meter springboard events. Her score of 310.95 in the meter ranks fifth in the LSU record books, while her score of 313.43 in the 3-meter ranks eighth.Freshman Elle Schmidt placed second in both dives while qualifying for the NCAA Zone Diving Regional.Betzen, one of the team captains, said she was excited for the team to get its first win.”We’ve swam two tough competitors the past two meets,” Betzen said. “It’s nice to swim someone that we know we have a good chance of winning.”The Tigers will return to Southeastern Conference action next week with both the men and women taking on undefeated Alabama on Nov. 6 in their first away meet. The Crimson Tide men are 3-0 this season, and the women are 6-0.The Tigers and Lady Tigers travel to Florida State the day after the Alabama meet and face off against the Seminoles and Lady Seminoles on Nov 7.Botzum said she is excited about going on a road trip.”I think bus trips are fun,” said Botzum. “I think it’s going to be a good time.”Betzen said she is looking forward to both meets next week.”I’m really excited to compete against Alabama and [Florida State],” Betzen said. “They’re pretty much on our level, so it’s going to be a really good meet. It’s going to be close the whole time.”Schmidt also said she is looking forward to hitting the road for her first meet away from the Natatorium.”I’m really excited about traveling” Schmidt said. “I think it’ll be fun to spend time with the team and get away for a while. It’ll be good to get out of this environment, get out of your own pool, because then it feels more like a competition.”————Contact Katherine Terrell at [email protected]