The LSU men’s swimming and diving team signed five recruits, and the Lady Tigers signed 10 in the early signing period, between Nov. 11 and 18.LSU coach Adam Schmitt praised assistant coaches Kevin Clements, Jessica Botzum, Liam Gallagher, David Geyer and diving coach Doug Shaffer in a news release for finding this year’s group of signees.”A lot of the credit goes to the efforts of my assistants for showing these athletes from around the world what a great University and many great traditions we have here at LSU,” Schmitt said.Lady Tiger signees Cari Blalock, Torrey Bussey, Emily Schwabe and Andrea Staub participated in the 2008 Olympic Trials.Bussey is ranked No. 77 on CollegeSwimming.com’s Top 100 swimmers, and Blalock is ranked No. 83.Staub trains at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, which produced Olympic medalists Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff. Staub swims in a variety of events, including the 200-yard and 200-meter individual medley, the 400-yard and 400-meter individual medley, 200-yard and 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter freestyle.Two of the men’s five signees are divers. Sean McKinney is a three-time Junior National finalist, and Daniel Helm is a 2009 Junior Olympic Regional and Zone champion.Shaffer said he couldn’t be happier with the team’s recruiting class in a news release.”Daniel and Sean represent a truly exciting future for LSU diving,” Shaffer said. “They come with a wealth of experience at the Junior Olympic level on both springboard and platform.”Helm is both an accomplished platform and springboard diver, with a promising future on the platform, Shaffer said.”He is fiercely motivated, and I’m confident he’ll excel immediately,” Shaffer said.Shaffer also praised McKinney, describing him as a well-rounded and experienced diver on all levels.”He is a seasoned competitor with tremendous talent and potential,” Shaffer said. —-Contact Katherine Terrell at [email protected]