BATON ROUGE — The LSU swimming and diving teams will open the spring season Saturday at 1 p.m. when UL-Monroe visits the LSU Natatorium in the first dual meet of the New Year.
The 26-event meet will begin with the 200-yard medley relay, followed by three freestyle events. Other notable events include 1-meter and 3-meter diving, 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle relay.
“We are ready to go,” said LSU head coach Jeff Cavana. “We have been working out for the last two months and are ready to go at it.”
It will be the first competition for both the men and women’s squads since the Nike Cup Invitational last November in Chapel Hill, N.C. Both teams reported back to campus on Dec. 29 and have worked out at the Natatorium for the past three weeks.
While the swimming teams have not seen action in nearly two months, several Tiger divers competed at the Georgia Diving Invitational, Jan. 3-5 in Athens. Freshman Alyson Carlyon placed sixth in the 3-meter (436.35) and 12th in the 1-meter (219.45). Teammate Hali Saucier was the Lady Tigers’ highest finisher in the 1-meter, posting a ninth-place score of 235.70.
The LSU men will welcome back All-Americans Evan Martinec and Francisco Paez for the spring season, solidifying the Tigers for the postseason which begins Feb. 11 at Senior Nationals in Orlando, Fla.
The Tigers hold a 37-2 advantage all-time against the Indians. In 2003, LSU earned a sweep by defeating both squads, 124-89 (men) and 61-41 (women). Saturday’s meet will begin a four-meet home stand for LSU, which plays host to Texas A&M, Rice and Florida State to round out the month of January.
“We are looking to get up and race,” said Cavana. “This will give us a good indication at where we are at for the next couple of weeks.”
Schedule of Events: LSU vs. UL-Monroe
(Each event will consist of a men’s and women’s heat.)
1. 200-yard medley relay
2. 1000-yard freestyle
3. 200-yard freestyle
4. 50-yard freestyle
5. 400-yard individual medley
6. 200-yard butterfly
7. 100-yard freestyle
8. 200-yard backstroke
9. 500-yard freestyle
10. 3-meter diving
11. 200-yard breaststroke
12. 200-yard freestyle relay