DALLAS, Texas - The FIU swimming & diving program secured their first AAC championship on Sunday night from the Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center and Barr-McMillion Natatorium in Dallas, Texas.

FIU finished 112.5 points ahead of second-place SMU (666), with Rice (593), East Carolina (446), Florida Atlantic (417), Tulane (379), and North Texas (336.5) rounding out the standings.

The Panthers garnered a total of 18 medals in the four-day meet, including seven gold, three silver, and eight bronze. The Panthers also broke a program record in the 200 IM as Christie Chue broke a time of 1:57.21. In addition, she secured a championship on Sunday in the 200 breast (2:07.99)

"Pretty fired up," said Head Coach Randy Horner. "The ladies finished out the meet amazing and had a great last day. It was a complete team effort. [We had] a lot of podium finishes and if we weren't winning it, it seemed like we were getting second and third. 

"It is so incredible to see all of the hard work pay off. The ladies absolutely crushed this week and it was truly a team effort all around, said diving coach Josh Larcom. "As for the divers, I couldn't be more proud of the ladies I get to work with on a daily basis. Everyone stepped up this week and I could not be prouder."

Senior Christie Chue was announced as the AAC Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet, while Randy Horner was named Swimming Coach of the Year and Larcom was named Diving Coach of the Year.

Chue garnered five gold medals in the meet including three in individual events and two in relays.

The Blue & Gold entered the final day in first overall with 523.5 points, ahead of second-place SMU with 69.5 points. The Panthers went on to claim a total of five medals on the final day including individual golds in the 200 breaststroke. SIlver and bronze were secured in the 400 freestyle relay, and team diving events.

Chue swam an NCAA B Standard time of 2:07.99 to become the 200 breast champion and win her third individual gold. Nicole Frank followed up with a second-place performance with a 2:10.81, and Emma Becker earned her first medal of the championships for a time of 2:11.26.

On the diving side, FIU took third in the first ever team diving event for a total finals score of 287.20..

The relay group of Chue, Oumy Diop, Ana Luiza Daisson, and Diana Santamaria took home second for a silver performance, logging a finals time of 3:18.41.

FULL SCORES

1st - FIU (778.5)
2nd - SMU (666)
3rd -  Rice (593)
4th - East Carolina (446)
5th - Florida Atlantic (417)
6th -  Tulane (379)
7th - North Texas (336.5)

SOCIAL MEDIA
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