Welcome to 2006-07! Freshman Sean LeNeave and sophomore Christoph Lubenau picked up wins in their LSU debuts Friday as the Tiger men's swimming team dropped a hard-fought season-opening meet to No. 2 Stanford, 84-54, at the LSU Natatorium.

The Cardinal, who finished third at the NCAA Championships last March, captured 12 of the 16 events led by two of the top swimmers in the U.S. -- Hongzhe Sun and Shaun Phillips. LSU swept the butterflies and two uncontested diving events.

"It was an indication that we have some good things to come," said head coach Adam Schmitt. "It was really fun to go against a team like Stanford, who is one of the best ever. Yes, we got out touched on a few events, but we raced hard. We should be proud of how we competed."

It was the first ever meeting between the two schools and LSU's first dual against a Pac-10 opponent.

"We are not afraid to go up against teams like that," said Schmitt. "We have No. 1 Auburn coming up and No. 4 Florida as well. These young guys are getting seasoned for the rest of the year."

LeNeave, a native of Conroe, Texas, took first-place honors in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:56.48, a second better than Phillip Morrison of the Cardinal.

"He delivered a solid swim with that first-place (finish)," said Schmitt. "Overall, we had some good swims being that this is the earliest we have started our season."

Lubenau, a transfer from East Carolina, enjoyed a stellar meet highlighted by a victory in the 100 butterfly (50.00). The sophomore also looked to be a valuable asset in relays, helping LSU take second in the 200 medley (1:33.05) and 200 freestyle (1:24.22).

Freshman Will Rivers paced the Tigers in distance free events with a pair of second-place finishes. Rivers, a product of Elgin (Texas) High School, posted a time of 9:36.82 in the 1000 free and nearly took first with a clocking of 4:39.20 in the 500 free.

"Will had all heart in that 1000 (free)," said Schmitt. "He was going for that school record in that first 100, but I like that. These guys are exciting and will go for it. That's what we want to have -- a tough team."

Sophomore standout Julius Gloeckner competed in four events on Friday, taking third-place in the 200 free (1:41.37) and 100 free (47.25) and runner-up honors in the 400 individual medley (4:02.43).

Junior Kevin Braud battled Sun in the 100 back, touching the wall in second place at 50.83. Sophomore Roy Chambers placed third in the 100 breaststroke (59.04), and Connor Farber turned in an impressive second-place finish in the 100 free (47.10).

"Connor Farber had a great meet," said Schmitt. "I think he's developed from a part-time baseball player to a swimmer now. It is really exciting that in his sophomore year he can take off."

Veteran Miko Malberg guided LSU in the relays and posted a time of 20.68 in the 50 free, just behind Stanford's Ben Wildman-Tobriner (20.39).

Both the LSU men's and women's squads meet in the annual Purple and Gold Intrasquad, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. Admission to the LSU Natatorium is free.