BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For the second consecutive week, an LSU swimmer has received recognition from the Southeastern Conference office as junior Katherine Noland was named SEC Female Swimmer of the Week for her efforts against Georgia last Friday.
Noland, a native of Deerfield Beach, Fla., won all three events she competed in versus Georgia, including helping the Lady Tigers shatter a school record in the 400 medley relay.
The group of Noland, Monica McJunkin, Kannon Betzen and Katie Gilmore broke the school record in the event with a first-place time of 3:44.69. That mark eclipsed the old time of 3:45.79 swam in 1999. The new clocking marks the fourth women’s school relay record broken in the Adam Schmitt coaching era. Noland has been a part of all four.
Noland assisted LSU to a sweep of relays with first place in the 200 free relay. She posted a 50 free split of 23.51 to lead the group to a finish of 1:34.07. Noland’s mark ranks as the seventh-fastest in the SEC.
In her only individual event of the day, Noland posted the second-fastest 100 free time in the league with a first-place clocking of 50.71. She trails only Florida’s Caroline Burckle who holds the conference’s top mark of 50.39.
Last week, Kevin Braud was named SEC Male Swimmer of the Week for his efforts in the Tigers win at South Carolina on Oct. 13. LSU has produced SEC Swimmers of the Week in the first two weeks the awards have been presented.
Noland is the first LSU female swimmer to earn the honor since Colleen Bertirotti did so on Feb. 7, 2006. Noland and the LSU swimmers and divers host Delta State this Friday, Oct. 26 in a 3 p.m. dual meet at the LSU Natatorium. Admission is free.