DALLAS, Texas - The swimming & diving program shined on day one of the AAC Championships , sweeping all three events in the 200 Medley Relay, 1-mtr diving and 800 free relay to take the top spot after the first day in the book with a total of 118 points.

"Our ladies did an excellent job today. The job is not finished, and we look ahead to tomorrow," said head coach Randy Horner.

The Panthers started off with a bang, winning a close race with the 200 medley relay. Freshman Diana Santamaria led off in the backstroke, clocking in at 25.10. Christie Chue followed with the breaststroke (26.75); sophomore Oumy Diop swam the fly leg (23.91), and junior Jessica Shpilko  brought it home with a  22.39 50 freestyle. 

Fifth year Paige Burrell dominated the 1 meter diving event, breaking the American Athletic Conference Record with a score of 316.60 in the prelims. She followed up securing a A-Final victory, scoring a 283.60. Alexa Lemus Hernandez, Ruska Lehtonen, and Mikaela Starr all earned B-Final spots as Starr (243.85) and Lehtonen (243.70) both took first and second.

FIU wrapped day one of action with a gold medal victory in the 800 free relay. In her second swim of the night, Chue led with a swim of  1:46.04, followed up by a 1:47.45 time from Harliai Curthoys-Davies. Nicole Frank-Rodriguez and Ana Luiza Daisson closed out with times of 1:47.97 and 1:48.43 respectively.

SCORE AFTER DAY ONE OF ACTION

1st - FIU (118)
2nd - SMU (101)
3rd - North Texas (68)
4th - Tulane (65)
5th - Florida Atlantic (62)
6th - ECU (61)
7th - Rice (34)