Celaya-Hernandez Wins Fifth Career SEC Championship, Third on One-Meter
ATHENS, Ga. — After competing in prelims earlier today, the LSU Swimming and Diving teams returned to their respective venues Thursday night to participate in the finals at Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Georgia, and the Mizzou Aquatic Center in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers will return to action for the third day of events on Friday, February 19. Swimming prelims will begin at 9 a.m. CT. and the diving prelims will start at 11 a.m. CT.
ON THE BOARDS
In Columbia, two Tigers qualified for their respective finals. In the Women’s Three-Meter prelims, Anne Tuxen placed seventh with a score of 298.65. For the men, Juan Celaya-Hernandez started out the competition on the One-Meter Springboard, finishing in second place with a score of 361.75.
After taking second place in the prelims, Celaya-Hernandez won his fifth career SEC Championship overall and third on the One-Meter Springboard. He finished with a score of 440.45, outscoring the next diver by 29 points.
“Juan continues to set the standard,” said LSU head diving coach Doug Shaffer. “Although he faltered a bit in the prelims, he regrouped and was nearly perfect in the final.”
In the Women’s Three-Meter Final, Tuxen finished in fourth place with a score of 351.55, a career best.
“I could not be happier for Anne (Tuxen) who is really maturing competitively and achieved her second SEC final and a personal best score,” continued Coach Shaffer. “She was just shy of the podium but did outstanding all day.”
Also on three-meter for the women, Montserrat Gutierrez Lavenant placed 20th with a score of 252.30. Hayley Montague finished in 31st place with a score of 208.95. Along with Celaya-Hernandez, Dakota Hurbis participated on the One-Meter Springboard and came in 16th place with a score of 289.30.
IN THE POOL
After qualifying for the ‘C’ Final in morning prelims with the third best time in school history, Jolee Liles finished 7th in the 500-Yard Freestyle with a time of 4:50.23.
“I felt like we had a really great start to today with the Women’s 500 Free,” said LSU head swim coach Dave Geyer. “Jolee obviously highlighted that with her swims today and also gained some valuable experience tonight with her first SEC Final and scored some huge points for the team.”
Katarina Milutinovich competed in the ‘C’ Final of the 50-Yard Freestyle. She finished in fifth place with a time of 22.53. The time improved her No. 7-ranking in school history she achieved during Thursday’s prelims.
“Kat keeps swimming incredible and keeps knocking off time in her 50 Free,” continued Coach Geyer. “She is so close to that breakthrough swim.”
To end the night, the 200-Yard Freestyle Relay team of Milutinovich, Olivia Taylor, Natalie Kucsan, and Summer Stanfield finished in ninth place with a time of 1:30.65. Milutinovich’s first leg time of 22.51 improves her seventh fastest time in school history.
“We have everyone racing tomorrow,” said Geyer. “I expect some great energy and vigor to our races and attitudes.”
SWIM ORDER OF EVENTS
Friday, February 19
400 IM
100 Fly
200 Free
100 Breast
100 Back
400 Medley Relay (Finals Only)
Saturday, February 20
1650 Free (Finals Only)
200 Back
100 Free
200 Breast
200 Fly
400 Free Relay (Finals Only)
DIVING ORDER OF EVENTS
Friday, February 19
Women’s Platform
Men’s Three-Meter
Saturday, February 20
Men’s Platform
LIVE STATS/VIDEO
Swimming: http://lsul.su/3aqfqJr
Diving: http://lsul.su/3as9QGc
Swimming Video: https://lsul.su/3pA6K7q
Diving Video: https://lsul.su/3drM5A0
MORE INFORMATION
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