The LSU men’s and women’s swimming and diving squads can look back at the high moments of the fall season, but challenges aplenty await in the spring.
The teams opened competition in September and competed through November, but this season’s Southeastern Conference and NCAA Championships aren’t until February and March, respectively.
A Nov. 4 sweep of rival Alabama at home highlights the squads’ fall SEC dual-meet competition.
The Tigers (1-3, 1-2 SEC) secured victory for their squad on the final event of the day – the 400-yard freestyle relay – to beat Alabama, 151-149.
The Lady Tigers (2-2, 1-1 SEC) bested the Tide by a score of 175.5-124.5 behind a one-two finish on the boards by junior Elle Schmidt and freshman Alex Bettridge.
LSU’s two lone female divers have fed of each other’s success this season.
“As you build a team you want to build teammates that will push, compliment and challenge each other,” said LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer. “Elle is busting good out of Alex, and Alex is busting good out of Elle.”
In the pool, junior and Olympic hopeful Amanda Kendall returned from competing in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, to add two individual golds in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle and a team gold in the 200-yard medley relay.
“Having Amanda Kendall back in the lineup, she doesn’t necessarily define our team, but to put our athletes in their normal events that they are racing is key for that women’s team,” said LSU swimming coach Dave Geyer.
Kendall made use of her time in Mexico and returned with four golds and a host of personal best times, setting her up for a chance to make the U.S. Olympic swim team.
The Fairfax, Va., native said making the Olympic team will depend on “who gets their hand on the wall in the top six” at the Olympic Trials this June and July. Her best 100-free time at the Pan-Am Games is listed as the seventh-fastest time in the current U.S. Swimming cycle.
The Tigers and Lady Tigers most recently competed at the Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville, Tenn., in a three-day competition that ended Nov. 18.
The Tigers placed second and the Lady Tigers fifth, but more importantly, the squads gained valuable experience while competing at the site of the SEC Championships, Geyer said.
“It’s sort of a trial run for our conference meet,” Geyer said. “It gets us a foot in the door ahead of time to learn how to prepare, plan and work on our travel better.”
LSU returns to dual-meet competition Jan. 21 against future SEC opponent Texas A&M at the LSU Natatorium.
 
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Contact Scott Branson at [email protected]