DALLAS — The LSU women’s swimming and diving team competes against three ranked teams this weekend as the two-day SMU Classic gets underway from the Perkins Natatorium at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Joining the Lady Tigers will be host (No. 9) SMU, No. 10 Wisconsin, No. 17 Florida State, Virginia Tech and fellow SEC foe Alabama.
Live statistics will be available during both days on www.lsusports.net, while live streaming video on Saturday can be attained through SMU’s official website, www.smumustangs.com.
The unique meet allows that only eight swimmers and one diver can compete, which gives several Lady Tigers the opportunity to earn experience in other events. Nine events of two heats (consolation and championship) are scheduled on both Friday and Saturday.
Head coach Adam Schmitt said the meet puts more of an emphasis on strategy.
“It is a strategic meet with a lot of events and only eight swimmers and one diver,” said Schmitt. “You have to figure out where you weigh your strengths and where you can just get by in other events that you might not be as strong at. It is an interesting format where I can only put one person in the finals and one in the consolation.”
Sophomore Katherine Noland leads the squad into competition and is slated to participate in three championship finals, including the 100 butterfly and the 50 and 100 freestyle. Noland will also be a valuable leader in the 400 medley relay and 400 free relay.
“You have to look for our strengths, and our strengths are in relays and in sprint and middle distance free (events),” said Schmitt.
Seven other swimmers join Noland on the roster: Signe Larson, Victoria Givens, Lauren Grandy, Sarah Dicharry, Colleen Bertirotti, Berit Aljand and Katie Gilmore.
“It should be a fun trip for the team,” added Schmitt. “Some people are going to have to step up even though it might not be their event. I foresee us doing well there because the group we are bringing weighs in our favor.”
Diving coach Doug Shaffer selected senior Hali Saucier to compete for LSU in the 1-meter on Friday and the 3-meter on Saturday. Saucier has gathered unlimited experience during her past three seasons in invitationals having competed in the Georgia and Minnesota Invitationals, the NCAA Zone Regionals and the U.S. Championships.
“It’s a little different format but a fun competition,” said Shaffer. “There are only a specific number of competitors in each event, so it is challenging when I have to leave six (divers) behind. But it’s a great experience for LSU and Hali to be at this meet.”
Two of the teams competing this weekend are also on the Lady Tigers’ dual-meet schedule later this season. Alabama visits the Natatorium on Nov. 10, while Florida State comes to Baton Rouge on Jan. 12.
LSU has never faced Wisconsin or Virginia Tech in the 29-year history of the program. Following the meet, the Lady Tigers return home to host Delta State on Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.