INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Six members of the LSU women’s swimming and diving team will compete at the NCAA Championships this weekend here in Indianapolis, Ind.
Divers Ashley Culpepper and Jamie Watkins will be joined by swimmers Melissa Knox, Suzie Flook, Cissy Schepens, and Mandy Leach. The Lady Tigers will attempt to finish among the nation’s top-25 teams for the 11th-time in the past 12 seasons.
“We are really happy for the girls that are going to the NCAA Championships,” said LSU head coach Rick Meador. “We sent four girls last year, and to improve to six this season gives us a better chance of finishing higher in the rankings. Every one of the girls has an opportunity to score and contribute to the team.”
LSU’s junior diver Culpepper and sophomore breaststroker Schepens both represented the Lady Tigers at the NCAA Championships last season.
An All-America selection as a freshman, Culpepper placed among the top-20 divers in the nation in the 1 meter, 3-meter and platform events last year at the NCAA Championships.
Last season Schepens qualified for the NCAA Championships as a freshman and swam the 200-yard breaststroke. She will compete in the 200-yard breaststroke event again this season.
“Both Cissy and Ashley have been here before. They can help the others in terms of handling the pressure,” Meador said. “You’re on the national stage here and having their leadership and experience will only help us.”
LSU’s swimmers: Leach, Flook, Knox, and Watkins will be making their first appearances to the NCAA Championships Thursday.
Leach will be competing in the 100, 200, and 400-yard freestyle events, while Flook will compete in both the 100 and 200-yard butterfly. Knox will compete in the 1500-yard freestyle competition and Watkins is set to dive in all three of the diving events.
“I’m really excited for both Ashley and Jaime,” said LSU diving coach Scott Reich. “They each have very good chances to score and their goal is to make the top-8 in an event. Ashley is probably the favorite in the platform competition. She also has a good shot in the 3-meter.”
The NCAA Diving Championships will continue through Saturday. Preliminary heats will begin each day at 10 a.m. Central time, with championship finals set for 7 p.m.