This weekend was a good one to be an LSU freshman.Fans who attended the LSU football game watched as true freshman Russell Shepard contributed to the LSU football team’s dominating 31-10 win against Auburn.The LSU swimming and diving team’s freshmen also had dominant performances against Auburn.”Across the board our freshmen are really stepping up,” said LSU swimming coach Adam Schmitt.The Tigers and Lady Tigers fell to Auburn, 167-133 and 177-122, respectively, despite the strong showing by the freshmen.”I’m really proud of our teams,” Schmitt said. “We had some people out today, particularly on the women’s side, and we had some young athletes really step up. We had some great swims, and we’re going to continue to build on that. I think a lot of our athletes realized today that they can compete against anyone in the country.”LSU freshman Sara Haley took first in the 200-yard butterfly, and freshman Jana Ruimerman took first in the 200-yard backstroke.Freshman Craig Hamilton and teammate junior Luis Gonzalez took first and second in the 1000 yard  and 500-yard freestyle.LSU junior Clint Hallum took third in the 500 freestyle.”I was so excited when I saw Clint touched the wall third,” Gonzalez said. “We needed those points, and it’s always good when your teammates go one-two-three, not matter who gets first.”The Auburn men are the defending national champions, but the LSU men weren’t flustered and started the meet off with a win in the 200-yard medley relay.LSU senior Sean LeNeave out-touched Auburn’s Gideon Louw to give the Tigers a victory by three hundredths of a second.”I knew I had to get a good relay start,” LeNeave said. “I kind of pride myself on having a good relay start, and I was pumped up. I was ready to go.”The Lady Tigers also earned a victory in the 200 medley. LSU freshman Amanda Kendall won the 200 yard and 50-yard freestyle.”I went a best time in my 200 free, so that was exciting,” Kendall said. “I just wanted to go out there and get some points for the team.”Schmitt said he saw room for improvement despite the performances turned in by his athletes.”We did a lot of good but a lot of things wrong,” Schmitt said. “We have to work on those things, but in a positive light, we can be that much better.”_____Contact Amos Morale at [email protected]