MIAMI (Sept. 26, 2019) - The FIU swim and dive team opened the 2019-20 season at home on Thursday afternoon, dropping its first meet of the season 194-101 to the visiting Florida Gators. 

Despite the defeat, the competition welcomed a good challenge for the five-time C-USA champions who hope to reinstate that title at the end of the season. 

"Facing Florida was the challenge we needed," said Head Coach Randy Horner, "We fought hard and didn't give up. Hopefully we came out of hte day with some good experience that will help us as we continue our season." 

Sophomore Maha Gouda led the Panthers from the three-meter spring board picking up her first win of the season after posting a score of 297.33. Followed by Junior Rachel Foord who nabbed third with 276.45. From the one-meter, Gouda finished second (293.33), Foord at third (284.25) and senior Brooke Bouchard snatched fifth with a score of 258.83. 

Gouda, fresh off an All-American campaign last season, set the tone for what this season will look like in only one day of competition, as her scores qualified her for the NCAA Zone competition from both the one and three-meter events. 

In the lanes, Horner was impressed with freshman Lamija Medosevic. In her Panther debut, she captured three top five finishes to give FIU a hopeful run. Medosevic chased the Gators in the 200 freestyle and swam a time of 1:51.19 for a second-place finish. In the 50 and 100 freestyle events, she came in third with times of 24.04 and 51.58, respectively. 

"Lamija had a solid debut to her FIU career. Having a team behind her is new and she responded to the atmosphere," said Horner.

Senior Taylor Grabenhorst secured two top-five finishes for FIU. The veteran touched just 1.1 shy of first during the 100 breaststroke, ending with time of 1:04.05. Her 200 breaststroke swim also resulted in a second-place finish when she checked in at 2:19.04. 

Standing out from the junior class was Stephanie Hussey, who posted a second-place finish in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:03.09, narrowly missing a win by 1.03. Later in the evening, Hussey again notched a second-place finish with her swim of 4:27.14 in the 400 IM.
  FIU will welcome crosstown foe Miami to the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10:00 a.m. Prior to the meet the Panthers will host a ring ceremony to receive their conference award. 

SCOUTING MIAMI
The meeting between the Panthers and the Canes marks the sixth time the two have met in the pool and the series sports an even 3-3 record. FIU picked up a win in 2017 and defeated the Canes twice in 2015. Miami came back last season in 2018 to upset FIU in their home pool. Now the Panthers welcome back the 8-mile opponent to the Biscyane Bay Aquatic Center in hopes of adding a victory to the win column and break away with the series lead. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIU_swim_dive's Instagram and @FIUSwimmingAndDiving on Facebook and on Twitter @FIUSwimDive. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.