TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 17th-ranked LSU swimming and diving teams notched three podium finishes on Thursday night, the second day of the SEC Championships held at the Alabama Aquatic Center.
Diver Rachel Ware continues to be the highlight for LSU at the event. One day after winning the 1-meter title, the sophomore sensation took second place in the 3-meter springboard. Ware’s 328.85 in the event is a career high and ranks fourth in school history.
The LSU men sit in fifth place with 160 points and Auburn holds the top spot. The Lady Tigers are in sixth place with 139.5 points and Florida sits in first place.
Miko Malberg shined in the swimming portion of the event by placing third in the 50 free and spearheading LSU’s 200 free relay team that finished third. Malberg’s 50-free time of 19.75 ranks sixth in school history. Malberg joined Hannes Heyl, Christoph Lubenau and Brandon Selts in the 200 free relay to break a school by hitting the wall at 1:18.85.
“Today was a day to see what kind of character this team has,” LSU head coach Adam Schmitt said. “This morning didn’t go our way but our team did regroup and swam well in the finals tonight. With Rachel, Miko and the men’s 200 free relay, we had three podium finishes tonight. Hopefully we can continue to improve when the championships resume tomorrow.”
Along with Ware’s runner up finish, the LSU diving also did wel ont eh men’s side with Freshman Michael Neubacher and junior Niko Dalman reaching the finals of the 1-meter springboard. Neubacher and Dalman finished fifth (325.45) and seventh (319.30), respectfully.
“Rachel has preformed as well as I could expect at this point in the season,” LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer said. “She posted a very solid 3-meter score and just came up a little short. We were proud to have another LSU Tiger on the podium tonight.
“I am real excited with the performance of Mike Neubacher and he is really making a strong case for the conference’s top freshman diver. It is also good sign for the future of LSU diving as he continues to develop in our program.”
Junior Katie Gilmore won the consolation final of the 50 free and finsihed ninth overall. The Alabama native’s time of 22.95 ranks second all-time in school history. Gilmore owns the school record of 22.63, which she set last season. Junior Katherine Noland finished right behind Gilmore with a time of 23.00. Noland’s time ties for third in school history.
Junior Julius Gloeckner reached the finals of the 200 IM and placed 16th overall with his season-high time of 1:49.71.
The action picks up again at 10 a.m. Friday with prelims in five events.
2008 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships
Alabama Aquatic Center.
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Team Scores (After Day 2)
Women
Place School Points
1. Florida 272
2. Auburn 230
3. Tennessee 200.5
4. Georgia 187
5. Kentucky 169
6. LSU 139.5
7. South Carolina 118
8. Arkansas 105
9. Alabama 98
10. Vanderbilt 46
Men
Place School Points
1. Auburn 322
2. Florida 233
3. Tennessee 208
4. Georgia 169
5. LSU 160
6. Kentucky 150
7. Alabama 140
8. South Carolina 101
Day 3 Schedule
Friday, February 22, 2008
400 Individual Medley
Prelims 10 a.m.
Finals 6 p.m.
100 Butterfly
Prelims 10 a.m.
Finals 6 p.m.
200 Freestyle
Prelims 10 a.m.
Finals 6 p.m.
100 Breaststroke
Prelims 10 a.m.
Finals 6 p.m.
100 Backstroke
Prelims 10 a.m.
Finals 6 p.m.
M. 10-Meter Platform Diving
Prelims 12:30 p.m.
Finals 6 p.m.
400 Medley Relay
Prelims TBD
Finals 6 p.m.