FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — LSU senior Matt Coenen became the school’s first U.S. national champion of the millennium, capturing the 200-meter breaststroke at the U.S. Spring National Championships from the Weyerhaeuser King Aquatic Center.
Coenen, who was the Tigers’ top breaststroker this season, posted the top preliminary time of the event (2:19.36) and then kept his pace in the finals with a time of 2:19.98. The Rayville, La., native touched the wall nearly a second ahead of Jake Salaz of the Mount Hood Swim Team (2:20.30) and Robert Yeager of the Team Charlotte Club (2:20.73).
“I really didn’t know what to think at first,” said Coenen. “Then it hit me that I won when I went back to grab my stuff and saw several Louisiana swimmers. I am just happy to bring back a title to the state, especially for what everyone has gone through the past year.”
For Coenen, it was the ultimate way to end a career as a swimmer with the Tigers. He becomes the first LSU swimmer to earn a U.S. national championship in an event since at least the 1990s.
“It’s been a tough four years, and when I got out of the pool I realized that would be the last time I swam a 200 breaststroke in my career. It is a great feeling to go out like that.”
Head coach Adam Schmitt and associate head coach Morgan Bailey praised the senior’s effort, not only during the event but throughout his career.
“I think inspirational would be one word to sum it up,” said Bailey. “The one constant about Matt is that he has always been a consistent and hard worker and that paid off.”
“It was a great opportunity and a big deal for him and the program,” said Schmitt. “It definitely shows to the country that the LSU program is heading in the right direction. We can certainly compete on the national level, and that is one our prime goals.”
Meanwhile, sophomore Miko Malberg reached the championship final of the 100-meter freestyle. Malberg placed fifth in the event with a clocking of 51.39, an improvement from his 51.73 time in the prelims.
Kevin Braud finished third in the “C” final and 18th overall in the 200-meter backstroke (2:06.74).
The U.S. Spring Championships continue Friday and Saturday with preliminaries beginning at 11 a.m. (CT) each day.