Florida Tech women’s swimming notched its first win of the season in its opener, defeating Lynn 143-111, Saturday at the McCusker Pool Complex on the Fighting Knights’ campus.
The Panther women were unable to overcome Saint Leo in the tri-meet, falling 147-107. FIT’s men were also defeated by the Lions, being outscored 140-121.
“Our goal in the first competition was to come in and execute as a team,” said head coach Justin Andrade. “From the beginning they were focused and ready to race. It was a hard fought meet and they never gave up. I'm very proud of what we accomplished today as a team and we definitely have a bright season ahead of us.”
Dar Raz had an outstanding day in Boca Raton, setting the FIT record in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.60, good for second. Raz also won the 100-yard backstroke, finishing in 59.35. The native Israeli also joined Rachel Barczyk, Bernie Murphy and Liana Soileau to take second in the 400-yard freestyle relay.
Julie Coen also registered an event win for the Panthers, touching first in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:12.31. Soileau garnered second in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing in 25.20. Murphy (54.83) did the same in the 100-yard freestyle, while Shelby Pearce (5:21.51) placed runner-up in the 500-yard freestyle.
On the men’s side, returning Sunshine State Conference medal-winner Brian Dumont claimed the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:00.21 and won the 200-yard breaststroke, making the final touch in 2:14.35. Thomas Steenberg also recorded an event win, taking the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:45.15.
Jonas Schwarzenbacher garnered the title in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:59.52, while Nathan Hufnagel’s time of 1:58.05 in the 200-yard individual medley was good enough for first place.
Nir Barnea registered a second-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 21.36 and also grabbed second in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 52.46. Victor Westerlund finished runner-up in the 100-yard freestyle, touching in 47.78. Camden Johnston finished directly behind Dumont in the 200-yard breaststroke, registering a time of 2:16.54.
In relay action, Schwarzenbacher, Dumont, Barnea and Steenberg teamed up to finish the 200-yard medley relay in 1:34.96, good for the second spot. Barnea and Steenberg also joined Westerlund and Jonah Rieman in finishing runner-up in the 400-yard freestyle relay, making the final touch in 3:10.87.
FIT swimming will resume action on Saturday, Oct. 25 in a meet with Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. The meet is scheduled to commence at 11 a.m. ET.
