Following a successful meet at home last month, the LSU Swimming and Diving team now has begun preparations for this weekend’s competitions in Houston and College Station.
With the University of Alabama and the University of Arkansas in town two weeks ago, the LSU women split the competition to begin the season.
Led by swimmers Colleen Bertirotti, Mallory Neltner, Heather Brand and Margaret Anne Moore, who swept the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:32.67, the LSU women managed to get past Arkansas 73-60 before falling to Alabama 80-53.
Despite a strong performance on the men’s side by Miko Malberg, Ryan Ashby, Jared Strecker and Jan Minartz, who also won the 400 freestyle relay, Alabama proved too strong in defeating LSU 171-111.
Coach Adam Schmitt, in his first year at LSU, said the first meet established the team’s mentality early in the season.
“I think that meet was going to be a meet to see what he have,” Schmitt said. “To see what we have going forward from here.”
Schmitt, who graduated from LSU in 1989, was hired as the swimming and diving coach in June.
“Coming in, I was trying to set a new culture for LSU swimming and diving,” Schmitt said. “And [the team] has responded really well.”
In his time at LSU, Schmitt contributed in leading LSU to its highest finish ever at both the conference meet and at the NCAA Championships in 1988.
After a short coaching stint at Arizona State, Schmitt now says he is excited about this season’s team.
“The coaches and I see definite potential for this season,” Schmitt said. “And for the future.”
With the swimmers second meet set for this weekend in College Station at the Texas A&M Invitational, LSU will get its first chance in competing with the typical Southeastern Conference-style three day meet.
“The first dual meet was for us to become a team and learn the LSU way,” Schmitt said. “Now we get to carry that on to this weekend. We get to learn to be a team at the championship level.”
The LSU divers will head to Houston to take part in the Houston Invitational.
Led by sophomore Adam Hebert, the diving squad will look to continue its efforts after the first meet, in which LSU captured three of the four events.
Hebert led the diving team in turning in a career-best score of 317.95 on the men’s 1-meter.
Diving coach Doug Shaffer said Hebert did a good job of establishing himself early.
“It was a great first shot right out of the gun for Adam,” Shaffer said. “He’s training well and I’m hoping that’s an indication of what is out there for him this season.”
Hebert’s previously best score cam season at 301.20 against Florida State.
According to Shaffer, a good dive gives the players confidence, which is an important aspect of success.
“Diving is a 90-percent mental sport,” Shaffer said. “And so when you have something like that boost your confidence, it’s huge.”
On the women’s side, divers Hali Saucier and Jessica Wantz will look to repeat their performances from last month.
In the one-meter, Saucier earned the win with a mark of 261.45 while Wantz won the three-meter at 289.00.
“They both dove well with some rusty spots,” Shaffer said. “But the entire group is training real hard. It’s a learning process, and I’m just hopeful we can continue with that momentum because the sky is the limit.”