After a historic week in Baton Rouge, where the LSU campus was blanketed with eight inches of snow, the sun has finally returned, and the Tigers are primed to face Delta State and Cincinnati on senior day.
LSU has a strong track record against these teams and is eager to uphold the tradition. The Tigers have had a strong season on both the men’s and women’s fronts and are more than ready for the upcoming challenge.
LSU dove off the blocks to start the meet and clutched a win in the first eight events it swam in. After getting second in the women’s 100-yard breaststroke, the Tigers reeled off and clutched the victory in the following eight events.
The men and women donning purple and gold doused the Bearcats, 186-110 and 192.5-101.5. Later that night, LSU’s men and women dominated the Statesmen, 215-74 and 218-72.
The Bayou Bengals showed remarkable resilience despite a tough loss in their recent meet against Texas A&M in College Station, 172-128. The Aggies, one of the biggest competitors in the SEC, indeed fought, but the Tigers’ spirit remains unbroken, which makes their coaching staff proud and even more supportive.
“Everybody that competes against us is taking us seriously, and they don’t want to lose against the powerful young team.” LSU head coach Rick Bishop said.
This double meet weekend marks the Tigers’ last in-season meet. LSU will return to Athens, GA, for the start of the six-day SEC championship meet, a crucial event that will determine the Tigers’ standing going into the NCAA Championships at the beginning of March. LSU eagerly anticipates this event, and the fans can expect to be on the edge of their seats, excited and engaged.
Earlier in the season, Bishop expressed his confidence in the team, particularly in their robust freshman class, and burning desire to leave a lasting impression in the SEC. This hunger for success drives the team to make their mark on the conference.
“We’re going in there in about the strongest position we have ever gone in the last year,” Bishop said. “Our goal was to get 50% of our team to score in the top 24 for LSU, but we are so far past that now.”
The humid natatorium atmosphere is tense, but there is a hint of relief in the Tigers as the seniors gear up for their last-ever in-season meet. This meet is a chance for seniors to enjoy the sport they fell in love with all those years ago.
LSU’s graduating class has 15 men and women, although there is continued speed and power on the team. There will be a hole left in relay members, the talent they bring to the pool, their striving for greatness, and their continued dedication to reaching.
But let’s not focus on the talent they are losing. How will the Tigers take their team all the way and bring the continued momentum they are trying to rebuild after a tough loss to Texas A&M with such a short turnaround to the SEC championships?
The key to their success lies in their focus on their current power and stacked finishes in sprint events. While not neglecting areas of weaker power, like distance events, LSU is confident in its strategy and ability to excel in the sprint events.
The Tigers will look to carry their momentum when they travel to the two-day Auburn Invitation to swim against their fellow Tigers on Feb. 7 and 8.
