Purple Downs Gold in LSU Intrasquad

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, September 28. THE Purple squad defeated the Gold squad by a score of 137-118 in the LSU Swimming and Diving's annual Intrasquad meet.

The meet witnessed a competitive atmosphere that was not decided until the final two relays. Swimming Coach Dave Geyer and Diving Coach Doug Shaffer were both pleased with their athletes' performances this early in the training season.

Freshman Gabe Rooker posted his lifetime best in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 56.01. Rooker added a victory in the 200 breast as well.

“For a freshman to pop off a personal best this early in the season and to be around 56.0 makes us excited for what is ahead of him this year and for the next four years as well,” Geyer said. “We don't see that often. We just started initiating weights this week into our program.”

Senior Craig Hamilton narrowly missed his goal of breaking nine minutes and thirty seconds in the 1000 freestyle, but Coach Geyer was happy with his All-American. Hamilton also took first in the 500 free.

“We wanted to be under 9:30 in the 1000 free,” Geyer said. “We talked early on that we are setting things up for the mile at NCAA's and doing things differently during our competitions. We were right there at 9:31 without a lot of competition in the field. I am pleased with that.”

In addition, the sprint duo of senior Andrei Tuomola and junior Michael Saco battled in the 50 free and 100 free. The duo put up impressive times considering weight training was instituted into the team's programs this past week. Saco captured the 50 free and Tuomola took the 100 free.

Senior Raymond Depadua excelled in the 100 butterfly and posted a time of 50.12. His mark also stood out because of where the team is at in the training cycle.

Sophomore Frank Greeff and junior Torrey Bussey both shined after returning from offseason surgery. Greeff won the 200 fly and Bussey won the 100 breast and 200 breast.

“Frank Greeff coming off of surgery three weeks ago, and really this being his first full week of training, to see him race again and throw down some good times in the 100 and 200 fly is exciting,” Geyer said. “For me personally, the biggest swim for me was Torrey Bussey's 100 breaststroke where she swam a 1:03. It is not a fast time, but considering she had major surgery in July and really is starting from ground zero, we now have a level to sort of gauge where we are at physically. I'm happy and I know she is happy.”

The divers completed a skills test using a multi-level format. The divers jumped twice off of the one-meter, twice off of the three-meter and twice off of the platform and needed to represent five of the six potential groups of diving.

The women's swimming and diving teams will travel to Vanderbilt on Oct. 10 to begin SEC play.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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