DALLAS, Texas – The FIU swimming & diving program wrapped up the final day of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championships with a strong second-place finish at the Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center and Barr-McMillion Natatorium.

The Panthers posted a total score of 1,474 points, finishing just 1.5 points behind first-place Rice in a tightly contested championship battle.

FIU delivered five podium finishes on the final night, led by Nicole Frank, who captured gold in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:10.49, an NCAA B Cut mark. This victory marked Frank's third individual gold of the championship, adding to her titles in the 200-yard individual medley and 400-yard individual medley.

For her outstanding performances, she was named Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet, becoming the second consecutive Panther to earn the honor following Christie Chue in 2024.

Additionally, Ingrid Huszar claimed bronze in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:12.50), while Sally Olsson finished just off the podium in fourth (2:13.43).

The Panther divers made a strong showing on the boards, with three athletes reaching the A-final.

Freshman Brooke Megdall secured her first individual medal, earning silver with a score of 247.60, while sophomore Kristina Keenan took bronze with 245.45. Junior Ruska Lehtonen finished fourth with 240.30, rounding out an impressive performance by FIU's divers.

To close out the championships, FIU captured silver in the 400-yard freestyle relay, as the team of Emma Becker, Oumy Diop, Tawannah McLemore, and Diana Santamaria clocked a winning time of 3:19.68.

Additional standout performances included Diana Santamaria placing fourth in the 100-yard freestyle (49.96), followed by Oumy Diop in fifth (50.02), Jessica Shpilko in seventh (51.30), and Ana Luiza Daisson in eighth (51.85). In the 200-yard butterfly, freshman Frida Stretre Løbersli secured a top-five finish with a time of 2:02.54, while graduate student Ellie Maradyn placed fifth in the 1650-yard freestyle (16:56.78).

FIU finished the meet with 16 total medals, leading the conference with seven golds, along with four silver and five bronze. Oumy Diop and Diana Santamaria each collected five medals, including four relay victories and an individual podium finish.

The Panthers also set two school and AAC meet records, shattering the 200-yard medley relay record with a time of 1:36.60, while Emma Becker set a new mark in the 100-yard breaststroke with a blazing 59.02.

FULL STANDINGS AFTER DAY FOUR
Rice – 1,475.5
FIU – 1,474
Tulane –  1,234.5
East Carolina –  1,177
North Texas –  1,160
Florida Atlantic –  1,008

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

SOCIAL MEDIA
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