ATHENS, Ga. — The Tigers’ 200-yard medley relay raced to a program record and third-place finish, and the Lady Tigers’ 800 freestyle relay delivered another school record to highlight the nationally-ranked LSU swimming and diving teams’ efforts Wednesday on Day 1 of the 2010 SEC Championships in Athens, Ga.
The men’s 200 medley foursome of James Meyers, Andrei Tuomola, Hannes Heyl and Sean LeNeave, which initially shattered the program mark in a time trial earlier in the day, captured bronze medals with a new school record and NCAA provisional time of 1 minute, 26.00 seconds. That time is just 34 one-hundredths of a second off the NCAA automatic qualifying mark and the third-fastest in the nation to this point.
The medal finish marked the second-straight season a men’s medley relay has earned a spot on the podium at the conference meet. The Tigers’ 400 medley squad at the 2009 SEC Championships also captured third overall.
The Lady Tigers’ 800 free group of Mary Beck, Amanda Kendall, Lauren Grandy and Kannon Betzen overtook one of the oldest LSU women’s records in the books with a ‘B’ cut time of 7:14.54 to take fourth. The new record bested the mark of 7:17.34 set by the 1997 team.
In addition, the women’s 200 medley relay squad of Morgan McGee, Betzen, Jane Trepp and Samantha Goates registered fifth with a ‘B’ cut mark of 1:39.38, while the Tigers’ 800 free group of Craig Hamilton, Andrew Reynolds, LeNeave and Clint Hallum notched eighth with a provisional qualifying time of 6:35.76.
“This was a great way to start the SEC Championships,” LSU head coach Adam Schmitt said. “I’m proud of the teams. NCAA cuts and school records are a good start, but we all know we have more work ahead of us.”
Men’s diver Brian Gemberling also enjoyed a fine start to spearhead the teams’ diving efforts. The sophomore posted a sixth-place finish in the three-meter competition with a score of 372.60 after qualifying for the final with a mark of 366.35. Fellow men’s diver Jesse Lyman finished 16th with a score of 263.70.
“Brian’s performance today was huge,” LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer said. “This is his first appearance at the SEC Championships, and to final in his first event is a tremendous accomplishment. It speaks volumes to not only how far he’s come but also the future that lies ahead.”
Lady Tiger divers Elle Schmidt and Rebecca St. Germain placed 17th and 18th, respectively, in the women’s one-meter.
Following the first day of action, the Tigers are sixth in the men’s standings, while the Lady Tigers sit in eighth.
The SEC Championships will really kick it into gear Thursday with the beginning of individual racing. The second session will also feature the men’s one-meter dive, women’s three-meter and men’s and women’s 200 free relays.
Links to live video streaming and live results provided by host Georgia can be accessed at www.LSUsports.net.
2010 SEC Championships
Feb. 17-20 – Athens, Ga.
Event Order
Feb. 18
500 Freestyle
200 Individual Medley
50 Freestyle
One-meter Diving (men), 5:30 p.m.
Three-meter Diving (women)
200 Freestyle Relay
Feb. 19
400 Individual Medley
100 Butterfly
200 Freestyle
100 Breaststroke
100 Backstroke
Platform Diving (men)
400 Medley Relay
Feb. 20
1650 Freestyle
200 Backstroke
100 Freestyle
200 Breaststroke
200 Butterfly
Platform Diving (women)
400 Freestyle Relay