ATLANTA, GEORGIA (Feb. 25, 2019) - The FIU swimming & diving team officially opens championship season on Wednesday with the first day of competition at the Conference USA Swimming & Diving Championships.
The reigning conference champions are on the quest for a fifth-straight title and are in high spirits as they head into competition.
"I'm feeling pretty good; the team is in a good place and has good energy and spirits. I think we have a great shot to win and will be pushed by Rice and North Texas, who have improved a lot this year, " said head coach
Randy Horner.
FIU notched an 8-3 record for the season and is coming off three straight dual-meet wins in addition to a team-wide, vibrant, energy that is the backbone of their success.
"Momentum from the regular season is good, but more important is the team chemistry that we have created and a bond that will fuel the team to perform at an elite level. Everything doesn't go perfect at Championship meets, so the ability for a team to come together and rally is very important," said Horner.
The senior class, who is notorious for dominating at the conference tournament, is on the quest for their fourth and final ring. Last year
Naomi Ruele was crowned as C-USA's swimmer of the meet when she won individual gold medals in the 100 Freestyle, 50 Free, 100 Back and was part of the squad that picked up a gold medal in the 400 Freestyle Relay, 400 Medley Relay, 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay. In addition to her collection of goal medals, she broke the school record in the 50 Free with a time of 22.11 in the event.
Oceane Peretti, registered a second-place finish in the 1650 Free for the Panthers with a time of 16:22.97, her best of the season.
Horner garnered his fourth-straight C-USA Coach of the Year award and diving head coach,
Rio Ramirez was named the C-USA Diving Coach of the Year.
While the number of rings speaks for itself, the Panthers have their eyes set on other accomplishments.
"I'm looking forward to witnessing our athletes reach their goals they have been working so hard to achieve. That is the most rewarding part of doing what we do," said Horner.
The Swimming and Diving team will participate in a Week of Giving as the championship unfolds. The donations will directly benefit the team in enhancing the student athlete experience with the latest training equipment and technologies. The goal for the week of giving is $2000, click
here to support the Panthers.
To keep up with all the action at the conference tournament click
here.
The Live Stream will be available for all events Thursday-Saturday on ESPN+. Click
here to access live stats.
LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE
Live Stream Coverage
Feb. 28- WATCH
March 1- WATCH
March 2- WATCH
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.
WEEK OF GIVING
The Panthers will participate in a week of giving as they compete throughout the conference championship. Click
here to donate.
