LSU Gold

Women's Swimming & Diving Wins at South Carolina

by Brandon Berrio
Printable Meet Results +0
Women's Swimming & Diving Wins at South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The LSU Swimming and Diving team splits its first road meet of the year Saturday morning against South Carolina. The Lady Tigers won 168.5-131.5 and the men fell 166-134. 

“It was a great overall performance on the women’s side. We had a huge start with a one two finish in the relay. The women are starting to get more comfortable and gain confidence racing in dual meet lineups.”

The Lady Tigers (2-2, 1-2 SEC) were led by freshman Kara Kopcso and junior Amber Carter who both won two events. Kopcso placed first in the 100 butterfly (55.30) and 200 butterfly (2:01.07). She now has five wins on the year.  Carter earned her first victories of the year in the 50 freestyle (23.36) and 100 freestyle (51.51).

To start off the meet, LSU’s team of Caley Oquist, Taryn Mackenzie, Rainey White and Carter won the 200 Medley Relay with a mark of 1:43.24. The team of Katlin Sepp, Colleen O’Neil, Kopcso and Troskot placed second with a time of 1:46.25.

Devon Dabney went on to place second in the 1000 free with a time of 10:19.04.

Megan Cox and Oquist then touched the wall first in the 200 freestyle (1:50.34) and 100 backstroke (56.74). 

In the 100 breaststroke, senior Torrey Bussey placed second in the 100 breaststroke with a mark of 1:05.20. Mackenzie placed third in the same event with a time of 1:05.87.

Sophie Weber finished the meet with a win in the 200 IM (2:04.46) and second place finish in the 200 butterfly (2:02.36).

The men’s swimming and diving team (0-3, 0-3 SEC) fell to the Gamecocks 166-134. Michael Young led the Tigers with two wins in the 100 backstroke (49.16) and 200 backstroke (1:47.31).

Junior Frank Greeff collected his first win of the year in the 200 butterfly with a mark of 1:50.36. He also had a second place finish in the 100 butterfly with a time of 49.76.

Michael Saco also had a win in the 50 freestyle with a mark of 20.65 and a second place finish in the 100 freestyle (45.95).

Ricardo Alvarado Jiminez also placed first in the 200 breaststroke with a mark of 2:03.29.

The men’s relay team of Young, Gabe Rooker, Greeff and Saco placed first in the 200-medley relay. The team of Alex Linge, Saco, Marco Gonzalez and Young were runner up in the 400 freestyle relay.

“Our men fought really hard until the end of the meet,” Geyer said. “Moving forward this is a young team that is getting more and more accustomed to stepping up and racing. They are starting to work together and I’m really looking forward to our midseason invite.”

On the diving side, Alex Bettridge placed second in the 1-meter dive with a score of 301.05 and Izzy Choquehuanca placed third with a score of 269.10. Sophomore Cassie Weil scored a 306.53 in the 3-meter dive for a second place finish.

Senior Kevin Leong continued his successful season with a third place finish in the 1-meter dive and second place finish in the 3-meter dive. Sean McKinney also finished second in the 1-meter dive with a score of 337.65.

“We had a great battle on the boards and competed well,” LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer said. “We faltered a bit on our execution, which cost us. It’s those details you have to learn and work out.”

Both teams will take the week off before traveling to College Station, Texas for the Texas A&M Invitational Nov. 21-23.

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.