University diver makes a splash in C-USA

Featured image by Brea Jones/PantherNOW

Written by Dalton Tevlin/Assistant Sports Director

For the third consecutive week this season, diver Rachel Foord was named “Conference USA Diver of the Week.”

The sophomore has been on a streak throughout her season and even set a personal best in the 1-meter event with a score of 313.35.

Along with this honor, Foord has kicked it into high gear as the Panthers look to defend their C-USA championship title.

“Everything we’ve worked up to during the season has consistently been for this competition so my dives have been getting more consistent,” said Foord to Student Media.

Foord’s mindset is a product of head coach Randy Horner and head diving coach Rio Ramirez’s encouraging and training their girls to perform at their best.

This is Horner’s eighth season with the FIU swimming and diving team. Since then, he has done a great job at instilling the right perspective in his team, according to Foord.

“[Coach] Rio has taught me how to be really positive, and focus on every little thing to make each dive the best that I can,” said Foord on Coach Ramirez’s impact on her as a diver.

The Panthers have won four C-USA championships back-to-back. During last year’s championships, the Panthers won first place with a total score of 1,031 points. They beat Rice University by 250 points. Foord herself helped get the win after she won first and second place for her two diving events at the championships.

Heading into this year’s C-USA championships, the Panthers plan to maintain their title for a fifth year. Likewise, Foord is ready to win her second championship title.

“I think the best thing to is treat like we aren’t reigning champions, we have to fight for it as hard as we do every other year,” said Foord. “Every competition you have to strive to do your best.”

Foord is originally from Melbourne, Australia. Despite coming from a different country, the diver is having a positive experience living in America. She is enjoying her time at FIU and in Miami.

“I’ve become more independent and in terms of diving I have improved a lot. They are just completely two different worlds,” said Foord on the difference between Australia and Miami.

Foord is majoring in psychology and is not sure what life after college will be like for her. She has always had an interest in being either a veterinary or a nurse, but hasn’t come to a complete decision about her future career.

Foord and the Panthers will be in action on Wednesday, Feb. 27 to Saturday, March 2, when they head to the C-USA Championship in Atlanta, Georgia with the hopes of winning the championships.

The championships will be live streamed on conferenceusa.com under the championships tab for the entire event.

Featured image by Brea Jones/PantherNOW

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