Before becoming an LSU athlete, junior swimmer Kara Kopcso already developed a bond with LSU coach Dave Geyer.
Not only did Geyer coach Kopcso’s older sister, LSU alumna Jessica Kopcso, he also coached Kopcso when she was younger.
“Dave and I have always had a pretty strong relationship when I was growing up,” Kopcso said. “When I was 13, he was one of my coaches at travel meet for zones. It’s a big meet when you’re younger, and I won the 400 IM, and I think ever since then, Dave has always had that in the back of his mind.”
Geyer noticed talent Kopcso proved to possess. In high school, she won seven individual state championships. She also holds state records in multiple 100-yard butterfly events and the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:01.18.
When choosing a college, Kopcso visited Southeastern Conference rival Auburn University before ultimately deciding to come to LSU — her sister, aunt and cousins’ alma mater.
“LSU is a really big part of my family, and I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else,” Kopcso said.
Kopcso made an immediate effect in the pool as a freshman, earning a total of 13 wins. She earned SEC All-Freshmen Team honors, competing in the SEC Championships and qualifying for the NCAA Championships.
In Kopcso’s sophomore season, she returned to both championships. She also set school records in the 200 fly (1:55.01), 200 IM (1:57.31) and 400 IM (4:12.23). Along with senior swimmers Megan Cox and Danielle Stirrat and junior swimmer Devon Dabney, Kopcso is a member of the relay team that holds the 800 freestyle school record with a time of 7:06.76.
Kopcso’s momentum from her freshman and sophomore seasons carried over, as her junior year is off to a win-filled start. In the Lady Tigers’ first meet of the season against Tulane University, she earned two individual wins in the 200 free and 200 IM events. Her 200 IM time of 2:01.14 is the fifth-fastest time in the nation.
When the Tigers and Lady Tigers traveled to Flagstaff, Arizona to compete against Northern Arizona University and the University of Wyoming, Kopcso earned four individual wins and three pool records in the 200 fly (2:14.98), 200 IM (2:19.19) and 100 fly (1:01.08). Her performance earned her SEC Swimmer of the Week honors.
“I’m always really hard on myself, so if I didn’t start out well, I think it would mess up the rest of my season,” Kopcso said. “It’s really exciting to be able to be consistently staying fast and staying at the top.”
While making it to SEC and NCAA Championships this season are goals for Kopcso, she’s also set a more personal one — competing in the Olympics. She plans to try out at the Olympic trials in July 2016 — trials she’s no stranger to.
Kopcso went to the Olympic trials four years ago when she was 15 years old, although she didn’t swim at her best because she said her nerves and the amount of people watching got the best of her.
Geyer said he and Kopcso are working on her ability to perform on the big stage, and she’s had practice swimming at NCAA Championships and senior nationals.
“It’s just learning how to swim with the big girls. When you go to Olympic trials and you’re swimming in front of 15,000 people, there are some nerves with that,” Geyer said. “With maturation, hopefully heading into July she’ll be better acclimated. I always say ‘If you have a lane, you have a chance,’ so if she can get through the preliminary rounds and make it to semifinals, she has a lane and a shot to be top eight. Once you’re top eight, it’s anybody’s ball game after that.”
For now, Kopcso is focusing on NCAA Championships en route to the Olympic trials. She’s making sure she stays healthy, hydrated and rested.
Other than championships and Olympic trials, Kopcso wants to stay happy in her swimming. Before coming to LSU, she fell out of love with swimming. However, becoming a Lady Tiger rekindled her passion for the sport. That passion helps her progress and improve in her career.
Kopcso’s bond with Geyer can also be attributed to much of her success. While she’s swimming, Geyer calls out times he thinks she’s going to hit.
“He is always right. I don’t know if it’s because he knows me so well or because he puts that in my head, so I think I can swim that time,” Kopcso said.
Geyer wants to see Kopcso continue her success as they aim for her to be All-American and top eight at NCAA Championships.
But their bond goes farther than competition, times, records or championships. Geyer said watching Kopcso grow up is a treat.
“Relationships are important in the coach-athlete connection, and I think Kara and I have that connection,” Geyer said. “There’s an unbelievable amount of trust between both of us.”