In her first meet as a diver for LSU in 2013, senior Cassie Weil set the all-time LSU record (372.68) in the three meter dive and won in the one meter dive.
Weil hopes to end her final meet just like her career at LSU started, with as small a splash as possible inside the pool and a big one outside of it.
Since freshman year, Weil has consistently been a top diver for LSU, diving coach Doug Shaffer said.
“Cassie’s performance throughout her career has been absolutely remarkable,” Shaffer said. “She has been one of the most rewarding athletes that I have had the opportunity to work with because of the breath of her skill and ability.”
Weil’s diving talent almost went undiscovered. She didn’t start diving until she was nine years old.
“I always loved the water as a kid, so I thought I would try it out,” Weil said. “Also, my babysitters used to dive.”
As a junior diver, Weil garnered national attention. She was an Olympic Trial Qualifierin the one meter and platform events, 17-time Junior National Finalist, four-time Senior National Qualifier and two-time Senior National Finalist.
On the first day that coach Shaffer was able to recruit Weil, he was in Hillsboro, Oregon for an in home meeting with Weil and her parents.
“Doug went out of his way to recruit me,” Weil said. “He came to my hometown to recruit me, which really made me feel special.”
In her first season at LSU, Weil was successful from her record setting opening meet until the end of the season when she was named as the Southeastern Conference Freshman Diver of the Year and two NCAA All-American honorable mentions.
Even with the early success, Weil believes she has improved significantly.
“The biggest difference since freshman year has been that I have learned how to cope with frustration and understanding that it doesn’t help when I get frustrated,” Weil said. “I have learned how to use it to my advantage and made myself stronger.”
As a sophomore, Weil earned first team all-American status for the platform and an honorable mention in the three meter. She earned second team all-SEC after finishing third in both the three meter and platform at the SEC championship and was placed on the SEC academic honor roll.
In her junior season, Weil made her biggest splash yet, outside of the pool, by winning the SEC championship in the platform event setting an LSU record with a score of 331.70.
“It was just a really fun meet,” Weil said. “Going into the prelim, I didn’t know what to expect. Going into the final, I knew I could win. So, I kept my hopes up and made sure that I nailed every dive.”
Weil finished her junior season with an NCAA All-American Honorable Mention in the three meter along with being named first team all-SEC and garnering a spot on the SEC academic honor roll.
This season, Weil has continued her success. In her most recent meet against Missouri, she posted a win in the three meter. It was her 10th win this season.
Every meet she has been in, she jumps into the pool before she dives and jumps around in the pool for awhile. She then thinks about her family to gain inspiration before she dives.
On senior day, Weil will not have to stretch her imagination as she stands on the board. Her parents have flown in from Oregon to watch her dive in the LSU Natatorium for one final time.
“I just want to make sure that I have fun and enjoy every moment because it is my last event at home,” Weil said. “It’s important to make those memories count.”

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Zoe Geauthreaux

LSU senior Cassie Weil dives during the Tigers' 187-103 win against Southern Methodist University in the LSU Natatorium on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015.