GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Despite falling to Southeastern Conference opponent Florida, the nationally-ranked LSU men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams enjoyed a successful meet Sunday at the O’Connell Center Natatorium with several swimmers recording season-best times and clinching NCAA provisional marks.
The 18th-ranked men’s team (2-5) fell to the Gators, 157.5-134.5, but did claim seven individual wins, while the 21st-ranked women (3-5) lost 171-121 while winning three events.
Junior Clint Hallum led the way for the men’s swimmers, as he recorded season-best times in winning the 200-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley.
Also touching first for the Tigers was junior Hannes Heyl, who won the 100-yard butterfly. Heyl’s season-best mark of 48.17 in the event clinched an NCAA provisional mark.
Heyl also helped the 200-yard medley relay team to a first-place tie in the meet and an NCAA provisional mark, as the team clocked a 1:29.72. The team is also comprised of senior Sean LeNeave, junior James Meyers and freshman Andrei Tuomola. Tuomola also notched an individual season-best time against Florida, as he secured first place in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Junior Jane Trepp paced the Lady Tigers with victories in the 100-yard breaststroke and 100 butterfly, while freshman Amanda Kendall touched first in the 100-yard freestyle. Kendall also placed second in the 50 and 200 freestyle.
Freshman Sara Haley clinched a NCAA provisional time with a second-place finish in the 200-yard butterfly, while junior Kannon Betzen notched a personal-best time with a second-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke.
On the diving side, sophomore Brian Gemberling continued his impressive performance in 2010, claiming the individual titles in the one-meter and three-meter dives, while sophomore Matt Vieke posted a second-place finish in the one-meter dive.
The Tigers will travel back home to continue training for several more dual meets in the second half of January, including a Senior Day battle with Texas A&M on Jan. 23 at the LSU Natatorium.
Purple Wins Swimming & Diving Intrasquad