GREENSBORO, N.C. – Sophomore Kara Kopcso set her third school record, this time in the 200 IM, on the first day of NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Kopcso finished 21st in the event with a time of 1:57.31.
“It was a great swim for Kara. She and I went over the game plan before the race and she executed it nearly flawlessly,” LSU swimming coach Dave Geyer said. “She put together eight great laps for a new school record.”
Caley Oquist finished 43rd in the 200 IM (1:59.18) and Colleen O’Neil finished 59th (2:00.52). Amber Carter tallied a 48th-place finish in the 50 free (22.72) and Leah Troskot finished 56th (23.10).
In the relay events, the LSU team of Oquist, O’Neil, Carter and Troskot finished 24th in the 400 medley relay with a time of 3:35.42. The 200 freestyle relay team of Carter, Troskot, Danielle Stirrat and Oquist finished 26th with a season-best time of 1:30.09
“The pieces are certainly there. Tomorrow is a big day for us and I’m excited for what lies ahead,” Geyer added.
Diver Alex Bettridge just missed the final of one-meter on day one. The senior finished with a score of 295.05 on the springboard event for 20th overall.
“I think Alex had a nice performance and she’s 20th in the nation. It’s something that she should really be proud of,” LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer said. “I know she would like to have maybe one dive back because there’s no room for error. The benefit is that we have two more days with two girls competing tomorrow on three-meter and then three on platform.”
The Lady Tigers return to action for day two of action tomorrow at 10 a.m. CT. Prelims will be streamed live on NCAA.com and finals will be on WatchESPN.com.
LSU is represented in all but one event on day two of NCAA’s. Two LSU swimmers and one diver will compete in events in which they hold school records. Bettridge and Cassie Weil will also look to return for finals on three-meter.
A full recap will be available on lsusports.net at the conclusion of each day. 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.
Order of Events
Friday, March 20
Prelims- 10 a.m.
200-yard Medley Relay
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
100-yard Breaststroke
100-yard Backstroke
800-yard Freestyle Relay
Three-meter Diving
Finals- 6 p.m.
200-yard Medley Relay
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Butterfly
100-yard Breaststroke
100-yard Backstroke
800-yard Freestyle Relay
Three-meter Diving
Saturday, March 21
Prelims- 10 a.m.
200-yard Backstroke
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Breaststroke
200-yard Butterfly
400-yard Freestyle Relay
Platform Diving
1,650-yard Freestyle—All but last heat of time finals
Finals- 6 p.m.
1,650-yard Freestyle
200-yard Backstroke
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Breaststroke
200-yard Butterfly
Platform Diving
400-yard Freestyle Relay