BATON ROUGE — The LSU women’s swimming and diving team will kick off the 2011-12 season against Tulane Friday at 5 p.m. (CT) in the LSU Natatorium.
“We are excited to see our women have their first competition of the year and to welcome Tulane University to our facility,” head swimming coach Dave Geyer said. “We are obviously are expecting a higher level of racing from our women as opposed to a week ago at the Purple and Gold meet. “
“Our women’s team line-up does not have a lot of flexibility, but we will see how some of our athletes swim in some different races.”
Last seasons, LSU defeated Tulane at the Reily Center Natatorium 194-98, emerging victoriously in 14 of the 16 events. The Green Wave finished fifth at last year’s Conference USA Championships.
The Lady Tigers return five NCAA Championship qualifiers from a squad that posted a fifth place finish at the SEC Championships and a 14th place finish at the NCAA Championships. LSU ended the year with a 13-4 dual-meet record as well.
First-team All-American and six-time NCAA Honorable Mention All-American junior Amanda Kendall highlights a core of athletes with NCAA experience, including senior Samantha Goates, juniors Sara Haley and Jana Ruimerman and sophomore Torrey Bussey.
The meet will also be the debut for talented freshmen swimmers Marlene Niemi, Katlin Sepp and Amber Carter.
In diving, LSU returns junior Elle Schmidt, who scored in two of three events at SEC’s and qualified for the NCAA Zone ‘D’ Diving Regional. She will be joined by freshman Alex Bettridge who boasts international experience on the national level.
“I expect Elle and Alex to compete,” diving coach Doug Shaffer said. “I expect them to defend our pool. I expect them to set aside how early it is in our season and bring their ‘A’ game.”
In dual-meet competition, events will be scored as follows: In individual competition, nine points are awarded for a first place finish, four for a second place finish, three for a third place finish, two for a fourth place finish and one point for a fifth place finish. There can be no more than three scorers per team.
In relay competition, 11 points are awarded for a first place finish, four points for a second place finish and two points for a third place finish. There can only be two scorers per team.
As a reminder, all admission to LSU home meets is free. Fans are encouraged to join LSU swimming and diving in their continued efforts in the community. The team urges its fans to take part in the 2011 SEC Together We CAN Food and Donation Drive. All donations collected at LSU will benefit the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
LSU Swimming and Diving will be collecting cans in the upcoming events:
Friday, Sept. 30, 2:30PM-3:15 p.m.-Swimming/Diving v. Tulane (Women) (LSU Natatorium)
For more information and updates on LSU Swimming and Diving please visit LSUsports.net, ‘like’ us on Facebook at LSU Swimming and Diving or follow us on Twitter @LSUswimdive.