MIAMI – The FIU swimming & diving program closed out day one of the TYR Fall Classic into first place for a total of 292 points from the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center.
 
The Panthers delivered a stellar performance, claiming seven first-place finishes and ten top-three placements, while sweeping the 1-meter diving competition.

"Today, the ladies really got up and after it. The girls fought and gave everything they had," head coach Randy Horner added.
 
Senior Jessica Shpilko led the charge with three first-place finishes, including a victory in the 50-yard freestyle (23.36). Shpilko also contributed to the winning 400-yard medley relay team, alongside Tawannah McLemore, Diana Santamaria, and Frida Stretre Løbersli, posting a time of 3:47.08. She capped off the day with another first-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay, teaming up with Ana Luiza Daisson, McLemore, and Santamaria.
 
"Every meet is a learning process, and we're progressing well early in the season," Shpilko said. "We've got a lot of potential, and I'm excited to see how we finish strong tomorrow."
 
Sophomore Diana Santamaria added three first-place finishes to the tally, excelling in both relay events and taking the top spot individually in the 100-yard backstroke.
 
In the 100-yard breaststroke, FIU took top honors in both the A and B Finals, with Stretre Løbersli clocking in at 1:03.99 in the A Final and freshman Sally Olsson winning the B Final in 1:04.78. Freshman Stretre Løbersli secured fourth place in the 100-yard butterfly (57.03).
 
Freshman Claudia Frasca had a solid performance, finishing second in the B Final of the 400-yard IM (4:36.54) and third in the B Final of the 100-yard backstroke (58.88). 
 
Tawannah McLemore notched a first-place finish in the B Final of the 50-yard freestyle (23.78). Luiza Daisson claimed fifth in the A-Final of the 200-yard freestyle. Meanwhile, junior Harliai Curthoys-Davies secured third in the B Final of the 200-yard freestyle (1:56.49), and graduate student Ellie Maradyn finished fourth in the A Final of the 400 IM (4:38.91).
 
The diving team dominated the 1-meter event, sweeping the top five spots. Graduate student Av Osero led the way with a winning score of 267.75, earning a Zone cut. Junior Ruska Lehtonen (264.75) and freshman Brooke Megdall (237.80) followed closely in second and third place, respectively. Sophomore Sydney Soto (233.10) and Kristina Keenan (225.00) rounded out the top five.
 
"This team has such great energy, and I love the positive atmosphere," Osero said. "It's pushing me to perform even better."

FULL STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1
1. FIU - 292
2. Florida Atlantic - 253
3. FGCU - 245
4. NSU- 227
5. Keiser - 214
6. Lynn University - 197
7. St. Thomas University - 186
 
UP NEXT
FIU closes out the TYR Fall Classic tomorrow at 10 a.m. from the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center. Live stats will be available throught MeetMobile.

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Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics
 
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