Panthers to dive into 2014 season

Jahrel Francis/ Staff Writer

The University women’s swimming team is prepared for a new season.

The team came in second for the Conference USA Swimming and Diving Championships, and they placed in the top 50 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association last year.

The Panthers only finished 60 points behind Rice University in the C-USA tournament.

“I’m very proud of the team at C-USA and NCAA’s this season,” said Head Coach Randy Horner to fiusports.com.

Neither of these accomplishments should be overlooked as the team made Panther history, only shortly after joining C-USA in July last year. The team’s season record, led by Horner, was an almost undefeated 6-1 last year.

Though they achieved more than ever before, the Panthers are aiming for more victories this coming year.

Losing six seniors, including Sonia Perez Arau and Sabrina Beaupre, both record-setting team leaders, the team may have to compensate with new talent and some experienced players returning.

Another team leader, current senior Johanna Gustafsdottir, will be returning for a victory in the C-USA tournament and supplying tougher contention for the NCAA title.

Practices are twice a day with some sessions at the swimming pool in Tamiami Park.

This season has much of the same competition as last season, with the first meet of the season against rival Florida Atlantic University on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Other competitors that return to the schedule include University of North Florida, Indian River State College, Central Connecticut State University and Florida Gulf Coast University.

New competition includes, Illinois State University and Texas Christian University. Panthers can also look forward to home competition invitations.

A meet to look out for is the long awaited rematch against crosstown rival University of Miami, taking place Jan. 31 at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center.

-jahrel.francis@fiusm.com