The LSU men’s swimming and diving team will send one swimmer and one diver to the NCAA Championship meet in Seattle beginning today.
Swimming coach Dave Geyer said it doesn’t matter that the Tigers have only two athletes representing them.
“No matter if it’s one or 20 athletes, we’re going in with the mindset to swim fast, score some points and represent our program on the national level,” Geyer said.
Junior swimmer Craig Hamilton will make his third straight NCAA appearance, swimming in the 1,650-yard and 500-yard freestyle events. Geyer said Hamilton is poised to improve his finishes from the last two seasons.
“He’s seeded 14th this year [in the 1,650],” Geyer said. “Having four weeks to prepare for NCAAs, as opposed to two for other conferences, gives him some benefit to possibly jump up some spots in that mile.”
The Edinburgh, Scotland, native owns the No. 14 time in the country in the 1,650-freestyle and has three school records, all of which he set at the Southeastern Conference Championship meet on Feb. 18.
Geyer said Hamilton has progressed steadily since his freshman season, when he was the last male to qualify for his events and finished last in both the 1,650-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle.
Sophomore Daniel Helm will represent the Tiger divers after a sixth-place finish on the one-meter springboard at the NCAA Zone ‘D’ Regionals. Diving coach Doug Shaffer lauded Helm’s season, but said he would have stiff competition at the NCAA Championships.
“Daniel is young and has matured very well,” Shaffer said. “The men’s field is elite, the degree of difficulty is very high in this meet.”
The Beaverton, Ore., native was a second-team All-SEC selection after his second-place finish on the one-meter springboard at the SEC Championship meet.
Shaffer said while the ultimate goal is for Helm to place top 16, the experience and competition he faces will be invaluable to his future as a diver. But for now Shaffer set some feasible goals for the weekend.
“Daniel is very excited for this next level and opportunity,” Shaffer said. “We’re looking to put some points on the board for LSU and become an NCAA All-American.”
 
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Contact Chandler Rome at [email protected]