TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Senior Paige Brown of the LSU diving team overcame a serious foot injury that happened in the prelims to become the first Tiger to ever win the SEC platform title Saturday evening at the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships held at the Alabama Aquatics Center.
Entering her last of five dives in the prelims at 2 p.m., Brown did an inward two-and-a-half summersault in the pike position while rotating she ?clocked’ both of her heels against the diving platform.
Brown was immediately transported to the hospital where she received 11 stitches on her heels.
She returned to the pool right before the finals at 6:45 p.m. and decided she was good to go.
Brown entered the platform finals as the 5th seed but the resilient Lady Tiger posted a dominating score of 300.30 points to claim the title.
“After I got back to the finals, I was more relaxed because I felt I had nothing to lose,” said Brown. “Coach (Doug Shaffer) always told me he believed in what I could do and I just kept listening to him. It was a long day but a great way to cap my senior year.”
Brown’s championship marks the second diving title for LSU at the SEC’s as sophomore Rachel Ware won the one-meter title on Thursday.
Shaffer was lost for words when describing how proud he was of his champion diver.
“I couldn’t be any happier our proud of Paige’s heart and dedication,” Shaffer said. “She believed in herself and pushed through some adversity. She showed the toughness of a true Tiger. It capped off what was a great week for the diving team.”
LSU finished sixth on the men’s and women’s side. Auburn won the men’s and women’s SEC Championship.
Junior Berit Aljand broke a nine-year old school record in the 200 back by a tenth of a second. Aljand finished 15th with a time of 1:59.79 to take the title. Former tiger Ali Peterson held the previous record.
Senior Kevin Braud reached the finals of the 200 back by hitting the wall at a season-best 1:47.33 to finish 13th.
Co-captain Katie Gilmore reached the finals of the 100 free by capturing a 14th place time of 50.31. On the men’s side, LSU had a senior and freshman reach the finals with senior Miko Malberg finishing in 19th place (44.28) and freshman Hannes Heyl taking 15th place (44.81).
Sophomore Nate Telep posted a time of 2:02.94 in the 200 breast to take 14th place.
Junior Christoph Lubenau posted a career best in the prelims of the 200 fly with a time of 1:49.11 and finished 15th overall.
The SEC Championships closed out with the 400 free relay where LSU finished sixth on the men’s (2:59.72) and the women’s (3:21.78).
Several LSU swimmers look to solidify their NCAA Championships’ berth at the Last Chance Meet next weekend at the Ramsey Center in Athens, Ga.
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