BOCA RATON, FLA (Feb. 2, 2019) -- FIU defeated Florida Atlantic on the road in Boca Raton, 154.5-85.5 for the final dual meet of the regular season Saturday at the FAU Aquatic Center.

"It's always nice to finish the regular season with a win," said head coach Randy Horner. 

FIU won 9 of the 15 events including wins in both relays and a complete sweep from the springboard by sophomore Rachel Foord. 

The morning opened up with a victory in the 200 medley relay the Panther squad of  Senior Naomi Ruele, Junior Carita Luukkanen, Sophomore Stephanie Hussey, and Junior Megan Bowen touched first with a time of 1:46.48. Sophomore Camille Wishaupt picked up a win in the 1000 free with a time of 11:01.61. Following that act, sophomore Helga Fodor got it done for FIU in the 200 free when she tapped in at 1:54.26. 

Freshman Paloma Sanchez, took second in the 50 free by .52 seconds and Hussey rolled out another win in the 400 IM with a time of 4:27.35. 

Ruele dominated the 100 back, besting the Owls by 1.22 seconds and the senior in Oceane Peretti added another win for the day in the 500 free when she touched, with a lifetime best of 5:07.911. The Panthers completed the day in the pool with a victory in the 200 free relay the team of Ruele, junior Alexa Bryant, Sanchez, and freshman Ryenne Hathaway took first place, followed by the team of Luukkanen, Junior Berta Triolla, Sophomore Victoria Cantu, and Freshman Holly Shepherd that took second. 
 
Foord dazzeld from the springboard for the second-straight weekend. Her 1-meter score of 299.25 and her 3-meter score of 319.87 earned her two first-place finishes for the day.

Ruele and Peretti earned nods from Horner for their splendid finishes. A compliment on Ruele's leadership in both relay, her individual victory and Peretti's outstanding showing in the 500 free to close out the regular season. 

"The seniors really stepped up today and I'm happy with where we are heading into post season competition," said Horner. 

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UP NEXT
The Panthers added a diving meet for the following Saturday, February 8, at the Coral Springs Aquatic Center. FIU diving will take on FGCU and FAU  for a last chance to compete on the platform ahead of the Conference USA Championships in two weeks.

SOCIAL MEDIA 
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