Craig Hamilton is used to traveling long distances.The freshman swimmer’s main events are the 1000-yard and 500-yard freestyle, but he had a much larger body of water to cross to get to LSU — the Atlantic Ocean.The Edinburgh, Scotland, native is in his first season at LSU and is making huge impact for the Tigers in the long-distance events.      Hamilton was CollegeSwimming.com’s 40th overall recruit and has touched the wall first in every 1000-yard or 500-yard free event this season.LSU coach Adam Schmitt said Hamilton has been a great addition to the swim team’s overall depth.He also said Hamilton is enjoying the culture of Louisiana.”I think he is pleasantly surprised with what we have down here in Louisiana,” Schmitt said. Hamilton said Louisiana is much different from Scotland.”It’s a lot hotter here,” He said. “And a lot more humid.”Hamilton also said the people are more friendly in Louisiana.”I’m probably going to get killed in Scotland for saying that,” Hamilton joked.Hamilton said the training at LSU is harder, and he has had to adjust to his new teammates.”I swam with an age group club where I’m usually the oldest,” Hamilton said. “Now I’m the youngest.”He is just 17 years old.Hamilton has made adjustments before. He has swum in open-water swimming events throughout his career.He swam one in Israel and also one in Croatia.Hamilton qualified for the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome where he placed 34th in the 10K race.Hamilton said open-water swimming is different than pool swimming.”It’s a lot rougher,” he said.Hamilton said the winner of the event in Israel kicked him in the face. He said the races are more tactical because swimmers are able to draft off each other. Hamilton has helped make the 1000-yard and 500-yard freestyle two of the Tigers’ deepest events. Hamilton and teammate junior Luis Gonzalez finished first and second in the two long-distance events when LSU hosted Auburn on Saturday.Hamilton said Gonzalez has pushed him to swim faster.”I’m loving having someone to train with,” Hamilton said. “Back in Scotland, I had no one. Luis is awesome. He’s pushed me in every set, pushed me in every race, I’m just waiting for him to touch me out one of these days.”Gonzalez shares Hamilton’s feelings.”We race each other in practice every day,” Gonzalez said. “We are just pushing and pushing each other.” Schmitt said he’s noticed how the two have helped each other in practice. “I think Luis is thriving off of Craig,” Schmitt said. “That is just going to help Luis in the long run.”Schmitt said Hamilton is laid back but very competitive.
“He’s a little bit humble,” Schmitt said. “He also has some pride in himself to want to be a great swimmer.”Hamilton showed this competitive spirit when the Tigers faced Tennessee. His goggles filled slightly with water at the start of the 500-yard freestyle. He was able to still gain the lead and hold off a late charge by Tennessee’s Geoffrey Sanders in the races final 25 yards to claim the victory.   —-Contact Amos Morale at [email protected]