The LSU swimming and diving teams continue with early Southeastern Conference action as the Tigers take on the South Carolina Gamecocks Friday at 6 p.m. in the LSU Natatorium.
After four straight away meets to open the season, the teams open the season in what is being billed as the “Pack the Nat” night at the Natatorium. A $150 cash prize will be awarded to the loudest and rowdiest crowd of the night.
The Gamecocks are 1-2 so far in the season after losing last weekend to the University of Virginia. However, several Gamecocks came away with individual victories.
“This should be the best meet of the year,” said head coach Jeff Cavana. “There are a couple of events that we match up better than them [South Carolina] and whether we win or lose will depend on those match ups. We are better in stroke events, while they are a little better than us in free events.”
Senior Ed Murphy had wins in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle events. Senior Tamas Szucs, an honorable mention All-American, won the 200-yard freestyle competition against Virginia.
The South Carolina men’s 400-yard relay team also took first place last weekend.
The relay teams are the strength for LSU’s men’s team. The men’s 400-yard medley relay took the win against Alabama earlier in the season. Against Georgia, the LSU men’s 800-meter freestyle team came away with a win.
“There’s going to be a lot of close races,” said LSU assistant swimming coach Lars Jorgenson. “It’s going to come down to a few races here and there.”
For the USC women, Jennifer Van Assen led the team last weekend with a win in the 200-yard freestyle. Her time of 1:49.99 gave her an early NCAA “B” cut qualification. Heather Skaggs won the 50-yard freestyle for the Gamecocks.
LSU’s All-American Stephanie Smith has had early success this season, taking the win in the 1,000-yard freestyle against Alabama.
USC’s divers took the top three places in the 3-meter event versus the Cavaliers as Allison Brennan won the event. Lindsay Havens won the 1-meter for the Gamecocks.
Andy Bradley won the 1-meter event while Dean Emmerton took the win in the 3-meter competition.
USC will bring a diving team comprised of almost entirely veterans with one senior, four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman. The LSU diving team, however, has all freshmen except for junior Jessica Wantz.
The newcomers have fared well so far in the season. Freshman Adam Hebert had a double win against Alabama after taking both the one and 3-meter events. Freshman Hali Saucier won the 1-meter against Georgia in her first collegiate competition.
The LSU divers have experienced tough SEC competition already, having faced Clemson, Georgia and Alabama at the start of the season. USC has not yet faced an SEC opponent, but Jorgenson said that the SEC experience of the swimming and diving team will not be as advantageous as being at home.
“It’s an advantage to be at home,” he said. “We’re used to our pool.”
Jorgenson said the goal at this point in the season is to see improvement.
The swimmers will travel to compete in the Nike Cup Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Nov. 20-22, while the divers will participate in the Minnesota Diving Invitational from Nov. 21-23.