BATON ROUGE — The LSU swimming and diving teams will compete at the Southeastern Conference Championships, February 25-29 in Athens, Ga., in what promises to be a preview of the NCAA Championships in March.
Events get underway Wednesday morning with the preliminary competitions of the 50-yard freestyle, 400-yard individual medley and 100-yard backstroke. Diving events begin with the men’s 3-meter at 12:30 p.m., followed by the women’s 1-meter at 4:30 p.m.
Three SEC teams occupy the top three spots of this week’s CSCAA women’s poll. Auburn, currently ranked No. 1 in both polls, captured the men’s and women’s championships in 2003, playing host to the eight participating teams.
Georgia, this year’s host, is ranked No. 6 in the men’s poll, while the women hold the No. 2 position this week.
The LSU men (2-7) will count heavily on seniors Evan Martinec and Chris Stanczyk. Martinec, coming off of a terrific second-half of the season, was named SEC Swimmer of the Week following a February 23 meet with Texas A&M.
Last year, the All-American shattered his own school record in the prelims of the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 46.98. In the finals session, Martinec placed second (47.36), while earning second-team All-SEC honors. The All-SEC accolade was the first by a LSU swimmer since Jarrod Marrs did so in 1998. The 100-yard backstroke will be the third event of Wednesday’s competition.
Stanczyk, already qualified for the NCAA Championships with a “B” cut time in the 100-yard backstroke, led off last year’s 800-yard freestyle relay with the second-fastest mark in school history (1:37.03). The senior also joined Martinec, and former Tigers Matt Rucker and Mike Jotautas, to place fourth among eight times in the 200-yard medley relay (1:27.98). The 800 free-relay will be the final event of Wednesday’s competition.
After several good weeks of preparation, diving coach Doug Shaffer has high hopes for his talented group of freshman divers that will participate in their first SEC Championships.
“I have been preparing them everyday for this type of event,” said Shaffer. “Everyday is a learning experience and hopefully we will make the most of our opportunities.”
Andrew Keane, Andy Crum and Adam Hebert will all participate in the 3-meter competition at 12:30 p.m. Hali Saucier and Alyson Carlyon will lead off the women’s 1-meter at 4:30 p.m.
Stephanie Smith, one of the best distance freestyle swimmers in school history, highlights the LSU women on day two and four of the championships. The 500-yard freestyle will be the first event on Thursday, beginning at 10:30 a.m., while the 1650-yard freestyle gets underway at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Both teams finished seventh in 2003. The LSU men own one SEC Championship in the 35-year history of the program, that coming during the 1987-88 season. The Lady Tiger women’s highest finish is a second-place showing in 1981.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS — WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25
10:30 a.m. — Preliminary Swimming Competition
50-yard freestyle
400-yard IM
100-yard backstroke
12:30 p.m. — Preliminary Diving Competition
Men’s 3-meter
4:30 p.m. — Preliminary Diving Competition
Women’s 1-meter
6:30 p.m. — Finals Competition
Women’s 1-meter diving
50-yard freestyle
400-yard IM
100-yard backstroke
Men’s 3-meter diving
800-yard freestyle relay