The LSU Swimming and Diving team held its first ever cannonball competition Friday, Oct. 11 during the LSU vs. Texas swim meet.
After a great start to the meet, fans were excited to watch students compete for the title of “Best Cannonball”. Students had a chance last week to sign up for the competition and cannonball into the Natatorium diving well, with the prize being a team-issued Swimming and Diving backpack.
Judges announced before the meet that they were looking for the cannonball with the biggest splash and attitude. Eight contestants took to the diving board to show off their skills, with the three highest scoring students moving on to the final round.
There was no shortage of laughter in the Natatorium during this event. One contestant wore a cowboy hat during their cannonball attempt, while another jumped in fully clothed. Contestant John Trapp won the competition, proudly displaying his prize of an LSU Swimming and Diving backpack.
“I came in here knowing I would place in the top three,” Trapp confidently said after his win. “I’m just getting ready for us to beat Ole Miss this weekend.”
You didn’t have to be an LSU fan to enjoy this spectacle. Texas fans Cheryl and Tom Flowers said they enjoyed the competition and the warm welcome from Tiger fans. Another member of the crowd wished they were an LSU student so they were able to compete. Crowd-goers agreed that the cannonball competition was a good boost of morale before the big game day weekend.
“It was fun to watch as an alumna,” said Jayden Jannasch, after the competition. “It brought in a lot of people and they were all cheering them on.”