DALLAS, Texas – Swimming and Diving is prepped to compete in the American Athletic Conference Championships from Thursday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 25 at Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center and Barr-McMillion Natatorium on the campus of SMU.
All four days of action will be streamed on ESPN+.

"We have a fine group of ladies that have worked hard this season and truly to see their work on display during this championship period!" said head coach Randy Horner.
 
FIU is coming a second place performance last year in the American Athletic Conference Championships, 11 points shy of first place in their first year competing. The Panthers won eight gold medals, the most by team competing and Nicole Frank won Freshman of the Year in 2022-2023.

In the pre-championship poll selected by the head coaches, FIU was projected to win the championship with a total fo 34 votes and first first place votes.
 
FIU wrapped up dual-meet action with a 6-1 record picking notable victories in the TYR Fall Classic, Florida Atlantic, and Florida Gulf Coast. In addition, FIU tallied a total of eight weekly AAC awards (four swimmer & four diver), the most by any team this regular season in the American.

THE EVENTS
 
Thursday, February 22 – Prelims (11:30 a.m.) | Finals (7 p.m.)
200-yard Medley Relay*
1-meter Diving
800-yard Freestyle Relay*
Watch (Prelims)
Watch (Finals)
 
Friday, February 23 – Prelims (11:30 a.m.) | Finals (7 p.m.)
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
3-meter Diving
200-yard Freestyle Relay*
Watch (Prelims)
Watch (Finals)
 
Saturday, February 24 – Prelims (11:30 a.m.) | Finals (7 p.m.)
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
100-yard Breaststroke
100-yard Backstroke
Platform Diving
400-yard Medley Relay*
Watch (Prelims)
Watch (Finals)
 
Sunday, February 25 – Prelims (11:30 a.m. ) | Finals (7 p.m.)
1,650-yard Freestyle*
200-yard Backstroke
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Breaststroke
200-yard Butterfly
Team Diving Event
400-yard Freestyle Relay
Watch (Prelims & Finals)

IN THE HUNT
In the 20 events being held to determine the conference champion, the Panthers own 46 top 15 times or scores in The American, including 9 top three times/scores.

Sophomore Christie Chue leads the way with four top three times in the 200-IM (1:57.73), 200-free (1:46.90), 100-breast (1:00.17), and 200-breast (2:08.95). In addition her 200-IM, 200-free, and 200-breast are all top times in the American conference for the 4x swimmer of the week.

Frank has secured a top three time in the 200-IM (2:00.18), while Ellie Maradyn and Mia Zahab both have top five times in the America for the 200-breast (2:13.90) and 200-fly (1:59.93) respectively.

The Panthers also features some of the best relay teams in the conference, ranking in the top three in all four races scheduled for the Championships. The team of Chue, Oumy Diop, Jessica Shpilko, and Diana Santamaria own the fastest time in the 200 medley relay (1:39.34).
 
Two-timer AAC diver of the week Paige Burrell ranks as the top diver in the 1-meter (295.95) and 3-meter (327.55) in the American.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUMSwimDive), Twitter (@FIUSwimDive), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSwimmingAndDiving) for all the latest Swimming and Diving news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.