The FIU swimming and diving team came away victorious in their final dual meet of the season, defeating FAU, 178-120, and Indian River College, 182-98, Saturday afternoon at the Biscayne Bay Aquatics Center in Miami, Fla.
“Both FAU and Indian River are good teams and I just didn’t know what I would get out of the girls today because this was peak week in our training cycle,” FIU Head Coach Randy Horner said. “We swam very, very well considering that and with rest ahead of us, I think we’re positioned well to swim very fast in a month at the [Sun Belt] Conference Championships and I’m excited about that.”
The Panthers were led by freshman Danielle Albright who won two individual events on the afternoon. She took first in the 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:00.52, just 41 seconds off her season-best time. She also won the 200 Freestyle with a time of 1:52.84.
“Danni is getting better and better every single day and every single meet,” Horner said. “We have no idea what’s she’s capable of and really, neither does she. She’s really starting to breakthrough and who knows how good she is going to be at the end of the season.”
Also winning two individual events was sophomore Johanna Gustafsdottir, who took first in the 200 Backstroke (2:04.83) and the 200 IM (2:04.94).
“It was good to get Johanna back after being out sick for a while,” Horner said. “She’s working on establishing herself again as one of the best swimmers in the conference and she has a short time to prepare herself for the conference championships and hopefully get herself back to the nationals.”
Not to be outdone, 13-time SBC diver of the week, Sabrina Beaupre, dominated both the 1-meter (321.60) and 3-meter (304.80) diving events. Her score in the 1-meter was a season high for the Canada native and just two points off her career-best score.
“I was happy with her performance today,” Horner said of Beaupre. “She got out there and competed well and set some season bests. She’s been struggling with some injuries as well, so that’s huge for her to come out and breakthrough during one last meet at a high level prior to the championships.”
“Sabrina has been really focused as of late in practice,” FIU diving coach Rio Ramirez added. “She has had a lot more enthusiasm lately and it’s showing in her dives. Her game is up right now, which couldn’t come at a better time. I’m really looking forward to what she can do and accomplish in the conference championships”
Senior Marina Ribi and sophomore Klara Andersson capped off the afternoon with victories in the 200 Butterfly (2:02.69) and the 50 Freestyle (24.58), respectively.
The Panthers now have a month off to train for the Sun Belt Conference Championships, which take place on February 27 through March 2 at the Rockwall Aquatics Center in Rockwall, Texas.
