DENVER, Colorado (Oct. 20, 2018)- Maybe it was the change in altitude, maybe it was pure skill. Whatever it was, it was certainly working for the divers who completed another perfect day from the springboard.
 
The Panthers competed in 31 events in 24 hours, opened up day two with a strong performance against Tulane, but lost momentum against Rice in the final session of the evening.
 
Against the Green Waves, FIU captured  6 of 11 events with a stellar performance by the divers who swept the 1-meter springboard and would later go on the sweep the 3-meter against Rice.
 
"We are still in the process of learning to have a good strategy,  but we are definitely on the right track," said Diving Coach Rio Ramirez.
 
In the pool, sophomore Stephanie Hussey continued to impress, capturing the Panthers first win of the day in the 200 butterfly (5:18.12). FIU went on to dominate the 100 freestyle when freshman Helga Fodor came in .83 seconds quicker than Tulane's Zhang Paris (52.20) and senior Naomi Ruele dominated the 200 backstroke, besting Tulane's Olivia Johnson (2:04.78).
 
From the springboard, freshman Maha Gouda would go on to secure the fourth victory for the Panthers, with a score of 296.65. Sophomore Rachel Foord followed with a second-place finish and a score of  291.30 and redshirt junior Brittany Haskell, secured the number three spot with a score of 268.90. Haskell also qualified for NCAA Zones after her performance from the springboard.
 
Sophomore Melanie Vargas, later tallied the fifth win of the day for the Panthers in the 50 butterfly (26.83), second, fourth and seventh-place were all captured by blue and gold putting the Panthers in a 24-point lead over Tulane.
 
The Panther's ended with score of 112.5, securing their first meet victory at Dual-A-Pool-Ooza.
 
Unable to capitalize on their performance, FIU later dropped session three to the Rice Owls (77-123).
 
Standout senior Ruele, secured the lone victory in the lanes against the Owls. Clocking in 56.82 in the 100 backstroke coming in 1.57 seconds faster than Rice's Brittany Bui.
 
"Naomi had a great weekend. She really stepped up as a leader in and out of the pool this week," said head coach Randy Horner.
 
The Botswana native, also captured a second-place finish in the 50 freestyle (24.19). A strong efforts from sophomore Sara Gyertynaffy, who picked up a pair of second-place finishes: in the 100 individual medley (58.84) and 50 breaststroke (29.84) would help put the Panthers on the board, but was not enough for them to regain the lead.  
 
From the 3-meter Gouda registered her third-straight, first-place finish against the Owls, with a score of 320.80. Foord followed in her foot steps and picked up a score of 303.05 and Haskell sealed the diving deal with a 205.40.
 
"The divers overall where the highlight of this weekend," said Horner, "Maha Has really shown to be an amazing diver."
 
For full day 2 Dual-A-Pool-Ooza results click here.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will travel to Fort Pierce, Fla for a one day meet at Indian River State College. Where they will go up against the Pioneers and Nova beginning on Nov. 2 at 11 A.M. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following on Twitter (@FIUSwimDive), Facebook (@FIUSwimmingandDiving) and on Instagram (@FIU_Swim_Dive). General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
400 Free Relay