The swimming and diving team will preface its season Friday inthe purple and gold intrasquad game in the LSU Natatorium. The teamwill start their season in late October, but the outlook on theseason is already looking up.
The hiring of swimming and diving coach and LSU alumnus AdamSchmitt earlier in the year already has turned around the swimmingprogram, team members said. The hiring took place after formercoach Jeff Cavana resigned. Schmitt swam for LSU in the late1980’s and was an All-American for the Tigers.
“For one thing, LSU was a great job opportunity and to getthis position I feel honored,” Schmitt said.”It’s fun to come back and with the program that is myalma mater — my name is still in the building.”
Before coming to LSU, Schmitt was an associate head coach atArizona State for three years and an assistant coach at Auburnwhere he contributed to an NCAA title.
“Being at Auburn and winning a national championship hasreally helped me to focus on what it takes to be a nationalchampionship team,” Schmitt said. “I’ve changedthe mentality and culture of the team and instilled in them awinning attitude. It just trickles down from the top — fromCoach Nick Saban all the way down.”
The men’s team went 2-6 last season while the women went3-6 in meets. The records are not as impressive as the team wouldlike, and Schmitt said he hopes with his coaching he can turn theteam around.
“I’m pleasantly surprised at the ability levels ofthe talent here that didn’t show last season,” Schmittsaid. “They didn’t live up to their potential as whatwe see in the water. I think we have some diamonds in the roughthat can definitely contribute this year. We have some qualityswimmers as well that have a shot of scoring at SEC andNCAA.”
Sophomore and returning swimmer Christian Clausen said healready can see the difference in the team after Schmitt’shiring.
“I feel very confident [about the upcoming season].It’s a whole new team,” Clausen said. “I’veonly been here one year, but this is something totally differentfrom last year.”
Clausen said he hopes the team can make changes from last seasonand achieve goals that were not there this time last year.
“My biggest goal is to win the SEC. It’s a toughgoal, but we just have to work as a team,” Clausen said.”The team experience in the past few years hasn’t beenthere — we need to work on that.”
Schmitt will serve as the overall men’s and women’sswimming and diving coach. But, diving coach Doug Shaffer will leadthe diving program. Shaffer said in the first few weeks of practicehe has been very pleased with his divers.
“I have been very happy with their work ethic, dedication,timelines and punctuality,” Shaffer said. “Some ofthose things you take as a given can be challenging. I feelwe’re a little more ahead this season than other seasons. Theoutlook is really good.”
Leading the diving team is junior Jessica Wantz. Wantz receivedAll-American honors last season.
“Jessica is familiar with the elite level ofcompetition,” Shaffer said. “The rest of the team is aswell. They were all freshmen last year and now they have a year ofexperience under their belts.”
The intrasquad game will begin at 3 p.m. Friday.