In the Southeastern Conference Swimming and Diving Championship from Feb. 16-20, LSU set 10 new school records.
Before the NCAA Championship in Atlanta starts today, the Tigers will already have another one in the books.
LSU is sending a record 11 Lady Tigers to participate in the NCAA Championship.
“We know what to expect, and our goals are high,” LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer said in a news release.
Five Lady Tigers will compete individually along with three more to participate in the relay and three divers.
Juniors Kara Kopcso and Leah Troskot will represent LSU in three events. Kopcso is participating in the 100 yard fly, 200 yard fly and the 100 yard individual medley.
Troskot qualified for the 50 yard freestyle, the 100 yard freestyle and the 200 yard freestyle as well as the 200 yard freestyle relay.
Along with Troskot, seniors Megan Cox and Danielle Stirrat and freshman Haylee Knight will swim the 200 yard freestyle relay.
Stirrat is also swimming in the 200 meter freestyle and the 100 yard and 200 yard backstroke.
Junior Colleen O’Neal is competing in the 100 yard breaststroke, the 200 yard breaststroke and the 200 yard individual medley and senior Taryn MacKenzie qualified for the 100 yard and 200 yard breaststroke.
Along with the swimmers, LSU qualified three divers at NCAA Zone Competitions.
“I think the big thing going into this year is the wealth of experience we carry into the meet,” Shaffer said. “Although it is [freshman Lizzie Cui’s] first shot at NCAA’s, she has so much international, elite-level experience that will obviously fuel her. It is new, but there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion. [senior Cassie Weil] and [sophomore Madison Sthamann] both have experience now.”
Cui and Weil qualified in two diving events and Sthamann qualified in platform dive. Weil earned a spot in the platform and the three meter dive and Cui is diving in the one meter and three meter.
The Lady Tigers are confident in their preparation for the NCAA championship, which had been the goal all season according to swimming coach Dave Geyer.
“This is the meet that we wait for,” Geyer said. “As long as we get to NCAA’s, I can look back and evaluate what we did in the season. The thing is for us, it is a process throughout the entire season and continuing training for SECs and NCAAs. So for the season, we are not done. The main story has yet to be written.
You can reach Jarrett Major on Twitter @Jarrett_tdr

Gallery • 6 Photos

Zoe Geauthreaux

LSU marketing senior Megan Cox catches her breath after competing in the Women's 100 Yard Freestyle event on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, during the Tigers' 197-103 win against Southern Methodist University in the Natatorium.