Panthers start swimming season off strong

The women’s swimming and diving team got their season off to a great start with a 175-102 win against rival Florida Atlantic University on Oct. 5.

The win was the largest win by the Panthers over the Owls ever.

“I’m very pleased with the meet,” said head coach Randy Horner. “For our first meet of the season we competed very well.”

During the meet, the Panthers’ showed they had talent on both sides of the age spectrum. Senior Sabrina Beaupre and freshman Lily Kaufman each qualified for NCAA Zone diving.

Beaupre was the top scorer in the one-meter diving with a mark of 295.2 while Kaufman earned a score of 265.2. Beaupre also led the way in the three-meter dives with a 294.45 while Kaufman earned a 258.67.

“We had a good mix of freshmen and upperclassmen step up,” Horner said. “Both of our winning relays today had three freshmen on them.”

The Panthers dominated diving, in large part to Beaupre and Kaufman, but they also held their own in the swimming events.

Senior Sonia Perez got it all started for the Panthers, winning three individual events on the day. She started off by scoring a time of 10:29.78 in the 1000 Freestyle en route to earning nine points for her squad. Perez also won the 500 Freestyle in 5:00.89 and the 200 IM with a 2:04.91.

Junior Klara Andersson, a first-team all-conference selection from last season, stepped up for the Panthers as well. She won two individual events in addition to contributing in two relay wins. Andersson won the 50 Freestyle in 24.25, earning nine points for her team, and won the 100 Freestyle in 53.21.

The Panthers’ performance in the relays was exceptional as well. Andersson joined freshmen Jennifer Alfani, Therese Nord and Jennifer Deist in the 200 medley relay, where they combined to post a 1:47.45. The same group won the 400 Freestyle relay in 3:32.95.

The freshmen for the Panthers continued to step up as Hannah Vandersluis won two events on the day. She took top honors in the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 1:07.52 and the 200 Breaststroke in 2:24.42.

Junior Johana Gustafsdottir also took home top honors in the 200 Freestyle as she posted a mark of 1:54.59.

The Panthers are now preparing for a matchup against the University of North Florida on Oct. 19.

“We have many things we can do better,” Horner said. “Next we will be tested on our first road trip when we swim at UNF.”