The LSU women’s swimming and diving team wrapped up day one of the Houston quad meet by winning 9 of 11 events and taking the overall lead.
“We had a great start to the meet today,” LSU swimming coach Dave Geyer said. “I was thrilled with how these women hopped off a bus and prepared themselves mentally and physically. Obviously we want to match our enthusiasm and team atmosphere tomorrow to keep the momentum going.”
Junior Alex Bettridge started the afternoon by taking first on 1-meter with a score of 308.50. Cassie Weil finished fourth with a score of 264.50. The Lady Tiger divers turned their attention to the 3-meter springboard and placed first and second. Weil finished first with a total score of 331.50 and Bettridge followed with a 307.70.
“We did an excellent today,” LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer said. “I challenged the women with our format. We drove, got out of the car, warmed up and competed both of our events. I wanted them out of their comfort zone because that’s where we see the mistakes. I was proud of the effort and the job they did under circumstances that weren’t ideal.”
On the swimming side, the LSU relay team of Caley Oquist, Torrey Bussey, Amber Carter and Leah Troskot took first in the 200-medley relay. The team of Kara Kopcso, Rainey White, Devon Dabney and Colleen O'Neil finished second.
In the next event, Hallie Petersohn finished third in the 100 freestyle with a mark of 10:42.50.
Carter took first in the 100 fly (53.81) and Bussey followed in third with a mark of 54.81.
In the 100 backstroke, Katlin Sepp finished first with a time of 55.45. Jennifer Reese touched the wall second with a mark of 55.60.
Bussey and Taryn Mackenzie went on to take second and third in the 200 breaststroke with times of 2:21.18 and 2:21.29 respectively.
The Lady Tigers then went 1-2-3 in the 200 freestyle with Kopcso (1:49.01), Stacey Stanfield (1:49.61) and Megan Cox (1:50.93).
Carter earned her second individual win of the night in the 50 freestyle with a mark of 22.99. White followed in second with a season-best time of 23.70.
Kopcso notched her second win of the night and 10th of the season in the 200 IM with a season-best time of 2:00.38.
LSU’s relay team wrapped up day one with a win, this time in the 400 freestyle relay. The team of Troskot, Carter, Cox and Kopcso took first.
The Lady Tiger swimmers return to the CRWC Natatorium Saturday at 11 a.m. to
conclude the quad meet with Houston, Rice and Tulane.
Rice 133.00-47.00 Tulane
LSU 152.00-34.00 Tulane
LSU130.00-53.00 Rice
Houston 107.00-79.00 Tulane
Rice 132.00-51.00 Houston
LSU 149.00-37.00 Houston
