COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The nationally-ranked Texas A&M men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams emerged victorious over LSU’s nationally-ranked squads Saturday at the Student Rec Center Natatorium in College Station, Texas.
Despite another fantastic outing from senior swimmer Jane Trepp, the eighth-ranked Aggies prevailed over the 23rd-ranked Lady Tigers (10-4), 163-120. The 20th-ranked Texas A&M men defeated the 22nd-ranked Tigers (6-5) in a tightly-contested battle, 166-134.
“I think our women raced really well against a strong Texas A&M team,” LSU co-head coach David Geyer said. “I think we are happy where we are with the women at this point in the season.
“On the men’s side, it was just another classic LSU-Texas A&M dual meet where it went back and forth, but in the end we just came up a bit short.”
Trepp continues to prove she’ll be a force in post-season competition in February and March as she delivered two more victories in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly with outstanding dual-meet times.
The Estonian remained undefeated on the year in the 50 free with a mark of 22.46 seconds, her fourth time under 22.50 already this season. She followed that effort with a 53.72 clocking in the 100 fly later in the meet.
Fellow senior Hannes Heyl spearheaded the men with his own victories in the 50 free and 100 fly. The German raced to a season best of 20.36 in the 50 free and won the 100 fly in 48.38.
Junior diver Matt Vieke enjoyed a stellar outing in the men’s three-meter competition, coming within five points of the school record with his career-best, runner-up score of 388.20. Freshman Sean McKinney led the Tigers in the one-meter with a third-place finish and 329.15 score. Lady Tiger diver Elle Schmidt was fourth in the women’s one-meter (259.45).
Senior James Meyers registered the win in the men’s 100 backstroke with a time of 49.42, while fellow seniors Lamar Weeks and Clint Hallum pitched in with victories in the 200 butterfly (1:50.41) and 200 individual medley (1:52.39), respectively.
Sophomore Chris Mericas posted his finest meet of his young career with personal bests in both backstroke events. The Austin, Texas, native recorded first-place for his team in the 200 back with a 1:49.07 mark and was part of a 1-2 LSU finish in the 100 back with a 50.01 clocking.
On the women’s side, freshman Torrey Bussey delivered a runner-up finish in the 200 breast (2:17.00), while sophomore Jana Ruimerman took third in the 200 back (2:01.74).
The Lady Tigers will close out the dual-meet season at home next Friday and Saturday when they welcome Houston, Rice and Tulane to the LSU Natatorium. The LSU men have wrapped up their regular-season schedule and will now turn their attention to the 2011 SEC Championships in mid-February.