AUBURN, Ala. — The LSU swimming and diving team continues its tough dual-meet schedule at 3 p.m. Friday as it travels to face defending national champion Auburn from the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.
Friday’s dual will be the eighth time out of the past 13 meets that LSU has faced a ranked team, dating back to the 2005-06 season.
“It is a great opportunity to swim the best team in the country,” said head coach Adam Schmitt. “We will walk in there and see their banners hanging, but that is something we have to overlook. We need to focus on that we all swim in a lane.”
Last season, LSU gave No. 1 Auburn all it could handle at the LSU Natatorium. However, the Tigers from Auburn responded with a pair of victories under legendary head coach David Marsh.
Schmitt served under Marsh for four seasons before leaving for the associate head coach position at Arizona State.
“I think we have a little more depth per an event since we last faced them,” said Schmitt. “I am anxious to see how we are going to perform. Last year they came to us. Now we have to mature as a road team. Hopefully, we can go over there and get focused on performing well.”
LSU opened the year with a hard-fought loss to No. 2 Stanford on Sept. 15. Both the men and women’s teams competed in the annual Purple and Gold Intrasquad last weekend.
Sophomore Katherine Noland led the Purple team to victory with three winning swims. Noland collected the first of her three wins in the 50 freestyle (23.74) and later took first in the 100 free (51.69) and 100 butterfly (57.65).
Sophomore All-American Julius Gloeckner also recorded three wins, capturing the 200 fly (1:52.83), 200 breaststroke (2:07.30) and 200 individual medley (1:54.20).
The LSU divers will also see their first true dual-meet action of the season. Senior Hali Saucier and sophomore Nathan Schreiber swept the 1-meter and 3-meter in last week’s intrasquad.
Diving coach Doug Shaffer recognizes the challenge that lies ahead in facing the No. 1 team but believes the team’s focus is on preparing for its championship season.
“Obviously, being early in the season and meeting the defending national champs in their home pool puts a great challenge in front of us,” said Shaffer. “I want to compete and be competitive, but I am not primarily focused on the outcome as I am in building a foundation for our championship season.”
The LSU men return to the Natatorium for a conference meet against Florida on Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. The women’s team travels to the Dallas Classic, Oct. 20-21.