LSU Starts NCAAs With All-American Status In 800-Free Relay

LSU Starts NCAA Championships with All-American Status in 800-Free Relay

The LSU Tigers swim team began their journey in the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships with a bang, securing All-American honors in the 800-yard freestyle relay. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for the program but also showcases the strength, depth, and dedication of LSU’s swimming team. The Tigers’ performance in this highly competitive event was a testament to the hard work, teamwork, and perseverance that have defined the program’s success in recent years.

The 800-yard freestyle relay is one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated events in collegiate swimming, and LSU’s performance in this race has set the tone for their overall performance at the national championships. The relay event features a team of four swimmers who each swim 200 yards in the freestyle, requiring a combination of individual excellence and exceptional teamwork. To earn All-American status in this event is no small feat, and LSU’s swimmers proved they have what it takes to compete with the best in the nation.

This article will explore the significance of LSU’s accomplishment in the 800-free relay, the key contributors to their success, and the broader implications for the Tigers’ swimming program as they compete for national titles at the NCAA championships. Additionally, we will take a closer look at the history of LSU swimming and how this performance fits into the program’s overall trajectory.

LSU’s Strong Start: A Sign of Things to Come

The 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships began with high expectations for LSU, and the Tigers’ performance in the 800-yard freestyle relay did not disappoint. The race was an exciting showcase of speed, strategy, and endurance as LSU’s swimmers battled against some of the nation’s most elite programs, including powerhouses like Stanford, California, and Texas.

The Tigers’ relay team had to overcome fierce competition, but their performance in the preliminary rounds and finals proved that they had the potential to contend for top honors. Finishing with an impressive time of 6:48.32, LSU secured All-American status, a significant achievement that guarantees them a place among the top eight teams in the nation for the event.

For LSU, this accomplishment is a monumental step forward in their efforts to elevate their swimming program to national prominence. Historically, LSU has been a competitive team in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) but has often found itself overshadowed by other powerhouse programs in the nation. The 800-free relay marks one of the team’s best finishes at the national level, signaling that LSU is beginning to make its mark on the NCAA swimming landscape.

The Key Contributors to LSU’s Success

While the 800-yard freestyle relay is a team event, individual performances within the race play a crucial role in determining the outcome. LSU’s success in this event was made possible by the collective efforts of four standout swimmers: Sophomore Ella Dowd, Senior Riley Ferguson, Junior Charlotte Stewart, and Freshman Sophia Manning. Each swimmer brought their unique skill set to the relay, contributing to the team’s ability to secure All-American honors.

1. Sophomore Ella Dowd

As a sophomore, Ella Dowd has already made a significant impact on LSU’s swimming program. In the 800-free relay, Dowd swam the first leg, setting the tone for the rest of the race. Dowd’s strong start was crucial for LSU’s overall performance, as she set up her teammates for success by providing them with a solid foundation. Her split of 1:43.45 on the first leg was one of the fastest in the field, and it gave LSU a competitive advantage right from the start.

Dowd has been one of LSU’s most consistent performers throughout the season, earning All-SEC honors in multiple individual events and helping the Tigers secure a number of relay victories. Her confidence and ability to perform under pressure were on full display in the 800-free relay, where she played a key role in the team’s success.

2. Senior Riley Ferguson

As one of the most experienced members of the LSU swim team, Riley Ferguson brought leadership and composure to the 800-free relay. Ferguson swam the second leg for the Tigers, building on Dowd’s strong performance and maintaining LSU’s position in the race. Her split of 1:44.10 helped keep the Tigers within striking distance of the top teams, ensuring that LSU stayed in contention for All-American honors.

Ferguson has been a stalwart for LSU throughout her college career, earning multiple All-SEC and All-American honors in individual and relay events. Her calm demeanor and ability to handle the pressure of national competition made her an ideal swimmer for the second leg of the 800-free relay.

3. Junior Charlotte Stewart

Charlotte Stewart, a junior from Baton Rouge, swam the third leg of the relay for LSU, continuing the team’s strong performance and helping to maintain the Tigers’ position in the race. Stewart’s split of 1:45.03 was crucial in ensuring that LSU remained within reach of the top spots. Her ability to swim a fast and controlled race was instrumental in keeping the Tigers competitive throughout the relay.

Stewart has been a standout performer for LSU in the individual freestyle events, and her success in the 800-free relay demonstrates her versatility as a swimmer. Her ability to perform at a high level in both individual and relay events has made her a key contributor to LSU’s success at the NCAA championships.

4. Freshman Sophia Manning

The anchor leg of the 800-free relay was swum by Sophia Manning, a freshman who has quickly established herself as one of LSU’s rising stars. Manning’s split of 1:45.74 brought the Tigers home with a strong finish, ensuring that LSU would earn All-American honors for the event. Despite being a freshman, Manning’s performance in the NCAA championships demonstrated that she is ready to compete at the highest level.

Manning has been one of the most impressive freshmen in college swimming this season, earning multiple SEC Freshman of the Year honors and securing top finishes in individual freestyle events. Her performance in the 800-free relay was a fitting conclusion to LSU’s strong showing in the event, and it bodes well for the future of the program.

LSU’s 800-Free Relay: A Historic Performance

The Tigers’ performance in the 800-yard freestyle relay at the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships marks a historic achievement for LSU swimming. All-American status in this event is a rare and prestigious accomplishment, and it highlights the growth and development of LSU’s swimming program under head coach Dave Geyer.

The Tigers’ strong performance in the relay serves as a reminder of the potential of LSU swimming. The program has long been known for producing talented swimmers, but in recent years, under the guidance of Geyer and his coaching staff, LSU has taken significant strides toward becoming a national contender. This achievement in the 800-free relay is a testament to the progress that has been made and the future potential of the program.

LSU’s All-American status in the 800-free relay is also significant because it sets a high standard for the rest of the championships. As the Tigers compete in the remaining events, including individual races and other relay events, their performance in the 800-free relay has given them momentum and confidence. The Tigers will undoubtedly use this achievement as a springboard to push forward and continue striving for success at the highest level.

LSU Swimming: A Program on the Rise

LSU swimming has a rich history of success, but in recent years, the program has struggled to maintain consistent national competitiveness. However, the recent strides made by the Tigers, particularly in the 2025 NCAA championships, suggest that LSU is on the verge of breaking through and establishing itself as one of the premier swimming programs in the country.

Head coach Dave Geyer, who has been at the helm of LSU swimming since 2018, has done an exceptional job of building the program from the ground up. Under Geyer’s leadership, LSU has focused on developing a strong, well-rounded team that excels in both individual events and relay competitions. The Tigers’ success in the 800-free relay is a direct result of Geyer’s emphasis on teamwork, conditioning, and preparation.

The program has also benefited from the influx of talented swimmers, both from the high school ranks and the transfer portal. Swimmers like Dowd, Ferguson, Stewart, and Manning are a testament to the growing appeal of LSU swimming as a destination for top talent. As the program continues to attract elite athletes, LSU is poised to continue its rise in the national rankings and compete for championships in the years to come.

What’s Next for LSU Swimming?

While the Tigers’ performance in the 800-yard freestyle relay is certainly a highlight of the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, it is only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting and competitive week for LSU. The Tigers will continue to compete in a variety of events, including individual freestyle races, medley relays, and other sprint and distance competitions.

As LSU looks to build on its success in the relay, the team will be focused on maintaining its momentum and continuing to perform at the highest level. The individual performances of swimmers like Dowd, Manning, and Stewart will be crucial in determining LSU’s overall placement in the championship standings, and the Tigers will look to build on the success of their relay team to continue making strides in the competition.

Additionally, LSU’s performance in the NCAA championships will serve as a springboard for future recruiting efforts. As the program continues to attract top talent, the Tigers will be in a strong position to contend for national championships in the coming years.

Conclusion

LSU’s All-American finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay at the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships marks a historic achievement for the program and signals a bright future for LSU swimming. The team’s strong performance in this prestigious event demonstrates the depth of talent on the roster, as well as the hard work and dedication of head coach Dave Geyer and his coaching staff. With continued success in the remaining events of the championship and a growing reputation as a national contender, LSU swimming is poised to become one of the top programs in collegiate swimming. This is just the beginning for the Tigers, and the future is looking incredibly bright.