The LSU women’s swimming and diving team closed out its dual meet season in grand fashion, sweeping Houston, Rice and Tulane during a two-day quad meet hosted by Houston.
The Lady Tigers (5-3, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) defeated Houston, 211-161; Rice, 228.5-125.5; and Tulane, 264.5-98.5, all without senior leader Samantha Goates or juniors Amanda Kendall and Sara Haley.
“It was great to finish out the season with a few more dual meet wins,” said swimming coach Dave Geyer.
Sophomore Torrey Bussey collected four first place finishes to pace the Lady Tigers — two of which came as legs of the 200-yard and 400-yard medley relays.
“We were able to set the tone with a win in the medley relay,” Geyer said.
Two freshmen also provided a spur for the Lady Tigers, with Amber Carter taking first in the 100-yard butterfly and Katlin Sepp leading a sweep of the 100-yard backstroke.
Relays were a point of emphasis for the team, with the SEC Championships just around the corner. The Lady Tigers took first in the 200- and 400-yard medley relays, coupled with second place finishes in the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays.
Geyer said a sweep of the 200-yard backstroke, led by junior Jana Ruimerman, surged the Lady Tigers on the second day, along with Bussey’s fourth victory in the 100-yard breaststroke. Freshman Marlene Niemi also tied a season high in the 50-meter freestyle.
The momentum carried over to Lady Tiger divers, freshman Alex Bettridge and junior Elle Schmidt, who both found success in the one-meter and three-meter competition.
“It took a bit to work out the bus ride, and we struggled getting our legs,” said diving coach Doug Shaffer. “It’s a challenge to travel and compete in the same day, and we did very well in respect to that.”
Bettridge collected a first place finish on the three-meter and a third place finish on the one-meter, while Schmidt placed fourth in both events. Bettridge and Schmidt competed on the platform, but it was only an exhibition event.
“Although the platform event was exhibition, it was good experience for us,” Shaffer said. “We competed well, performed at a level which would score at the conference championships.”
The Lady Tigers end their dual meet season with momentum going into the SEC Championships, only 16 days away, to be held in Knoxville, Tenn.
“At this point, it’s time to let our bodies recover and get ready for the conference championship,” Geyer said.
 
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Contact Chandler Rome at [email protected]