An unusually high level of excitement filled the Natatorium Saturday, as the LSU swimming and diving teams hosted Kentucky.
As the seniors were introduced at the last home meet of their college career, a small group of rowdy students and an abundance of family members and friends showed their support and admiration.
B.J. Alvarez, Johanna Hill, Barb Gorst, Julie Johnson, Mike Jotautas, Martin Latz, Cissy Schepens, Chere Richards, Michelle Coryell, Jill Thomas, and Kyle Van Arsdall participated in the last home meet of their college careers.
Van Arsdall hopes that as the team captain he’s left an impression on the younger team members.
“I hope they’ve learned to work hard and have fun,” said Van Arsdall, who’s greatest memory is competing in the NCAAs his sophomore year.
“It was the biggest meet I’ve ever been to, and I was diving with the best people in the country,” he said.
The LSU men lost to the Wildcats while the women came out victorious.
In the women’s 1,650 yard freestyle, LSU’s Stephanie Smith broke her own pool record finishing in 16:38.73 and lapping every other athlete in the event, to take the win.
Two senior women came away with double wins in the meet. Senior Julie Johnson won both the 50 and 100-yard freestyle events finishing the 50 in 24.13 and the 100 in 52.71. Senior Cissy Schepens took the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:04.94 and the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:18.46.
Other winners for the women were Lindsay Staak, who won the 100-yard backstroke in 56.07 and the 200-yard backstroke in 2:05.33.
Sophomore diver Jessica Wantz won both the one and three meter events with scores of 267.53 and 302.85.
Laura Jo Leininger won the 100-yard butterfly in 56.75 and the 200-yard butterfly in 2:04.61. Leininger took an early lead in the 200-yard butterfly and kept it the duration of the race.
The women’s relay team of Schepens, Staak, Johnson and Leininger claimed the top finish in the 200-yard medley relay by touching in the wall in 1:45.61.
“The meet with Kentucky is huge because it is a conference meet and it is a big rivalry for us,” said LSU head coach Jeff Cavana.
Although the men took a loss against the Wildcats, a few LSU men came away with individual wins.
It was junior All-American Evan Martinec’s day as he claimed victories in three individual events: 100-yard backstroke (49.06), 200-yard backstroke (1:52.25) and 100-yard butterfly (49.07).
Martinec joined with Francisco Paez, Mike Jotautas and Matt Rucker to pull out a close win in the men’s 200-yard medley relay in 1:30.48. The race came down to the last stroke. Kentucky touched the wall seven hundredths of a second later to finish in 1:30.55.
LSU’s Myles Jaynes won the 1,650-yard freestyle in 16:08.56.
Van Arsdall placed second in the one and three meter diving events.
The Tigers also hosted Delta College and University of Louisiana at Monroe the day before the Kentucky competition. They defeated both teams and swept the freestyle competitions.
Next up for the Tigers will be the Southeastern Conference Championships in Auburn, Ala.