BATON ROUGE — The No.19-ranked LSU men’s swimming and diving team finished its regular season in grand fashion by defeating the No. 17-ranked Texas A&M squad, 186-114. The No. 19-ranked LSU women’s team fell to the sixth-ranked Texas A&M women by a score of 178-119.
The LSU men’s squad (6-3) has won five of their last six meets. The Lady Tigers’ loss puts their record at 6-3.
LSU had a combined score of 305 points to top Texas A&M’s 292 points. The win was perfect to celebrate LSU’s six seniors who were honored prior to the meet. Swimmers Kevin Braud, Stefanie Carver, Miko Malberg, Clare Schepens and Joseph Veron along with diver Paige Brown competed in their final home meet.
“I think it was a satisfying win for our seniors,” LSU head coach Adam Schmitt said. “These guys came in not knowing who their coach was going to be. Then they hired me, and I came in and changed the mindset. It’s got to be very gratifying, especially for the men. They went 6-3, and our only three losses came against top-eight teams. They should feel good about going into the postseason. I just want to thank these seniors for hanging tough with me and believing in me.”
The LSU men captured an outstanding 11 first-places finishes in their 16 events, and produced runner up finishes in their other five. The Lady Tigers placed first in four events, including both of the springboards.
Freshman Hanes Heyl had an incredible outing as he clinched first place in all four events he participated in. The Grosslehna, Germany native won the 100 back (47.96), 200 back (1:47.99), and 100 fly (49.97). Heyl also was a member of the first place team in the 200 Medley Relay. Heyl teamed with Malberg, James Meyers, Brandon Selts and Julius Gloeckner to clock a time of 1:29.43.
Gloeckner and Clint Hallum also picked up multiple first-place finishes.
Gloecker, a three-time NCAA All-American, won the 200 free (1:39.84) and 400 IM (3:56.82). The junior Tiger also placed second in the 200 fly by hitting the wall at 1:50.07.
Hallum took the top spot in the 500 (4:33.04) and 1000 (9:20.36) free.
Seniors Malberg and Braud shined in their home finale. Malberg won the 50 free with a time of 20.34 and placed second in the 100 free by clocking a time of 45.88.
Braud posted second place times in the 100 (49.35) and 200 (1:48.36) back.
On the women’s side, junior Katherine Noland had the top time in the 200 free by hitting the wall at 1:48.83.
Junior Vanessa Duenas produced a first-place finish in the 200 fly (2:03.76).
The Lady Tiger team of Noland, Katie Gilmore, Monica McJunkin and Jane Trepp finished with the fastest time in the 200 ffee relay (1:33.13).
The Tigers won all four diving events. Sophomore Rachel Ware and Brown continue to own the springboards as Ware took first place in the 1-meter (298.50) and Brown finished first in the 3-meter (304.05).
On the men’s side, junior Nathan Schreiber won the 1-meter springboard by posting a score of 330.85.
Junior Niko Dalman dove for 343.93 points to finish first in the 3-meter springboard. The Auburn, Wash., native also placed second in the 1-meter springboard (301.65).
The LSU men’s squad is finished for the regular season while the LSU women’s team will travel to Houston next weekend for a two-day meet with Rice and Houston.
“The women have one more regular season competition and that will be a great two-day meet,” Schmitt commented. “We’ll get to see some different events and get ready for SEC’s. With the men, we’ll run a little pre-SEC practice type meet here. That’ll allow them to get prepared for racing. We’ve got a few more tweaks for here and there, but I’m really excited about how we are heading into the postseason.”
Men's Swimming & Diving Overpowers Aggies, 186-114