ATLANTA (Feb. 27, 2014) – The FIU women's swimming and diving team currently sits in second place after day two of the C-USA Championships on Thursday. The Panthers hold 266 points, which puts FIU 73 points behind first-place Rice. Western Kentucky is currently in third place, sitting behind FIU by 40 points.

Junior Johanna Gustafsdottir had a huge day for FIU, taking home the C-USA title in the 200 IM. After posting a 1:59.48 prelims time early in the day, the junior clocked in at 1:57.94, which was not only a school record, but a C-USA Championships record as well. Sophomore Becky Wilde swam the same even in 2:04.52, upping her career-best time.

Then, Gustafsdottir helped pace the Panthers to a school record 1:32.09, second place finish in the 200 freestyle relay. Her 23.60 leadoff split time was .01 off her personal best of 23.59, which is currently third in school history. Joining Gustafsdottir on the relay team was freshman Jennifer Alfani, freshman Jenny Deist and junior Klara Andersson.

"Today was a great day for team," said Head Coach Randy Horner. "The ladies had objectives today and we met them.  We had many great performances tonight in the pool and on the diving boards. Tomorrow should be a good day for us; I am looking forward to Day 3."

Senior Sonia Perez started her day with a 4:49.41 prelims time in the 500 freestyle, and then followed that up with a 4:45.06 finals time in the evening session, an NCAA "B" Standard for her, earning her a second place finish. Perez tops her previously set school record of 4:48.43, set at last year's Sun Belt Conference Championships. Senior Mary Boucher also qualified for the finals, earning a finals mark of 4:54.88, the third best time in school history. Junior Courtney Vander Schaaf also qualified, earning a finals mark of 4:58.04.

In the 3-meter diving, senior Sabrina Beaupre finished second, posting a prelim score of 288.85 and a finals mark of 293.70. Her freshman teammate Lily Kaufman also had a good night, finishing in fifth place with a finals dive of 256.00.

Andersson and freshman Jennifer Alfani both qualified for the 50 freestyle finals. Alfani's 23.43 prelim time is the second fastest time in school history, while Andersson just missed her previous school record by .07.
Competition resumes tomorrow, with the finals beginning at 6 p.m.