MIAMI – For the first time in program history, FIU swimming & diving will participate in team diving as it set to be added in the American Athletic Conference Championships this upcoming February, becoming just the second conference to do so in the NCAA.
 
"It just makes sense, diving hasn't had the opportunity to compete as a team where swimmers have had 5 relays at championships. Head Coach Randy Horner added. "Team diving not only gives the divers another opportunity to help their team but has all the potential to be the most exciting event of the week."
 
The inaugural event will take place on the final night of the Championships on Sunday, Feb. 25, with each school having one team entered in the event with three divers to a team (ex. swimming relay)
 
"We are in the proof of concept and viability stage of getting that team diving event added eventually in the NCAA Championships.  It's hard to imagine anyone having an argument against it at this point.  Horner said. "Most conferences have now added the event and the AAC and Big 12 have taken the lead on making it an official scores event at their championships.   Now it will also be competed at NCAA Zone Championships, it's obviously gaining momentum and we hope it becomes a fixture in collegiate Swimming and Diving."
 
Each diver will have two dives, and a pair of dives on each apparatus (1-meter, 3-meter, and platform) while each point will count double as an individual event.
 
"I'm super pumped to have a scored diving team event added to conference!" FIU diver Paige Burrell detailed. "Diving has been missing that team component that swimming has always had with the relays. As a diver watching from the sidelines, cheering the swimmers on, relays have always been the most exciting and lively event throughout the whole competition.
 
In last year's AAC Championship, team diving was introduced but was not scored as an event. This year, both the American and Big 12 have added it as a official event in their respective championships.
 
"This event is exciting not only for the divers and coaches but everyone who gets to watch it.  The team event really gives divers another opportunity to help their team compete. Head diving coach Josh Larcom added. Doing the event last year at conference as an exhibition event was a great test to not only see how it ran but to also see how much enjoyment the student-athletes had. Not just the divers but the swimmers as well.
 
The Panthers will compete in the AAC Swimming & Diving Championships for the second time this upcoming February from Dallas, Texas at the Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center and Barr McMillion Natatorium.
 
"At FIU we are huge supporters and promoters of diving as part of our team.  The AAC has taken a big step to show support for diving.  Horner detailed. "It's time for us to look for ways to enhance our sport and this is an great opportunity."
 
The individual diving events will be adjusted accordingly to have the 1-meter on Thursday, Feb. 22, 3-meter on Friday, Feb. 23, and platforms on Saturday. Feb 24 before setting up the anticipated team event on Sunday night.
 
"The more times it is run, the more data that will show this event makes the student athlete experience better. Not to mention it only requires 3 divers which all if not most rosters can or already carry.  Larcom stated. I'm excited to see this keep moving forward in a positive direction. Happy and proud that the AAC and Big 12 are scoring the event."

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