LSU’s swimming and diving teams couldn’t best nationally ranked Texas A&M in the LSU Natatorium on Senior Day, but the Tigers’ and Lady Tigers’ individual performances were something to make a splash about – literally.
The No. 19-ranked Tigers and the No. 24-ranked Lady Tigers honored their seven seniors prior to their last home meet together. Afterward, in an LSU swimming tradition, the seniors jumped from the top of the 10-meter diving board as their teammates looked on and cheered.
There was plenty to cheer about in a day that saw LSU sophomore diver Brian Gemberling smash the team record in the three-meter springboard with a score of 393.07 to win the event. On the women’s side, junior Jane Trepp beat out Texas A&M senior Alia Atkinson in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 2.01 seconds. Atkinson is the nation’s fastest swimmer in that event, and was previously unbeaten in it this season.
‘It was great to compete today against such a high-level opponent,’ LSU coach Adam Schmitt said. ‘Texas A&M has two very good teams. I’m proud of the way we competed all the way to the end. We had some good swims and diving performances today.’
Next weekend the men and women will split up as the men stay in Baton Rouge for their last home meet of the season against the University of New Orleans. The Lady Tigers will travel to Texas to compete against Houston and Rice
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—- Contact Katherine Terrell at [email protected]