KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-Lizzie Cui dove to a fourth-place finish on one-meter in the finals, compiling a career-high score of 336.10 to move to second on LSU’s all-time list in the event on day two of the SEC Championships at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center.
The LSU swimming and diving team will return to action tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. ET for the prelims in the 400 IM, 100 fly and 200 free. The men divers will take part in three-meter prelims starting at 1 p.m. ET.
Through two days of competition, both the men and women’s teams hold eighth overall with scores of 199 and 231 respectfully.
“Lizzie qualified for finals in the last spot of a very close preliminary competition. Several women performed at a high level, but Lizzie stepped up,” said head diving coach Doug Shaffer. “She improved from prelims for an impressive fourth-place finish in the finals.”
In the swimming portion in the 50 free championships, Haylee Knight swam to a personal best at 22.28 for seventh place to improve to fourth on LSU’s all-time list. Leah Troskot followed in eighth, timing at 22.37.
Kara Kopcso touched the wall at 1:58.43 in the ‘B’ final of the 200 IM to take sixth overall. In the consolation final of the event, Colleen O’Neil tallied a seventh-place finish, coming in at 1:59.77
For the men, Brandon Goldman tallied a career-high in the 200 IM prelims, clocking at 1:46.24 to retain his spot at third on LSU’s all-time list. Goldman was able to claw his way into the bonus round after taking second in a swim off against Auburn’s Petter Fredriksson and Florida’s Ross Palazzo, securing a time of 1:46.72. In the ‘B’ final, Goldman placed eighth overall, with a finish at 1:46.29.
“I told the team I think we left some opportunities in the water, and that just comes with experience with a younger team,” said head swimming coach Dave Geyer. “Some of our freshmen are competing in their first race in their first SEC’s and may be feeling that pressure a little bit. We just have to coach them up a little bit, so we can be better in the morning and try and get second swims.”
“I think we have three great days ahead of us. We’re looking forward to racing and starting to settle into this meet routine now.”
In all, 14 swimmers and divers finished the day setting career-highs. Tennyson Henry swam to a personal best with a time of 4:51.64 in the 500 free prelims. In their first SEC Championships, Nicole Rozier (2:01.43) and Olivia Paskulin (2:03.95) collected personal bests in the 200 IM prelims. Rozier also earned a spot at 10th on LSU’s all-time list in the event.
Swimmers Summer Spradley (23.12), Taylor Anderson (23.28), Helen Grossman (23.80), Silas Dejean (20.63), Matt Klotz (20.21) and Tyler Harper (20.20) all set their top times in the 50 free to close out the prelims.
Following Cui’s performance, Rileigh Knox and Makayla Robillard also scored personal bests in one-meter prelims with scores of 281.85 and 296.60 respectfully, rounding out the day for the women divers.
“Day two was solid for the divers as all women scored points for the team,” said Shaffer. “Rileigh improved dramatically from last year’s SEC one-meter event for a 19th place finish. Makalya narrowly missed qualifying for finals, but she scored valuable points towards the team total.”
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.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, February 16
10 a.m.-400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free prelims
1 p.m.-Men’s 3m prelims
6 p.m.-400 IM, 100 fly, Men’s 3m, 200 free
Friday, February 17
10 a.m.-200 fly, 100 back, 100 breast prelims
1 p.m.-Women’s platform prelims
6 p.m.-200 fly, 100 back, 100 breast, Women’s platform, 400 medley relay finals
Saturday, February 18
10 a.m.-200 back, 100 free, 200 breast
1 p.m.-Men’s platform prelims
6 p.m.-1650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, Men’s platform, 400 free relay finals