Facing one of the top teams in the nation, the 12th ranked Florida Tech men held onto a slim lead to top No. 3 Tampa 106-99 at the Panther Aquatic Center.
“It was great to see the men get a win for each other,” said head coach Justin Andrade. “They have worked hard this year and overcome a lot of obstacles. We just need to continue to focus and work hard through the rest of the season. We’re very proud of what they have accomplished today and the confidence it gives them to continue striving to become better.”
The #42 FIT women held their own but were overmatched by the No. 12 ranked Spartans, who registered a 140-60 victory.
Yagoh Kubagawa tallied the Panthers’ lone NCAA B-Cut time of the day, finishing first in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 9:35.72. Ferruccio Rossi finished right behind the native Brazilian, timing in at 10:00.38.
Newcomer Victor Rocha Furtado has immediately made his impact, winning the 200 free with a 1:41.63, over two seconds faster than teammate Emanuele Rossi, who took second in 1:44.29.
Camden Johnston also claimed an event for the Panthers, winning the 400 IM with a time of 4:14.80. Rocha Furtado snagged his second win of the day in the 100-yard butterfly, making the final touch in 50.45.
In the 100 free, Thomas Steenberg was the top man, registering a 47.64. The Panthers took the three top spots in the 500-yard freestyle as Kubagawa (4:47.26) grabbed the win with Johnston (4:49.72) and Emanuele Rossi (4:50.44) finishing close behind.
With the meet on the line, a first and second place finish would have given UT the win by a single point. The Spartans managed the event win but the Panthers “A” and “B” teams claimed second and third to secure the win for FIT.
On the women’s side, Lauren Suarez took the win in the 50 free, timing in at 24.45, her quickest finish of the season. Shelby Pearce also claimed an event, winning the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:45.61, improving her season-best time by nearly seven seconds.
Dar Raz was the fastest in the 100-yard backstroke, setting a 1:00.12, more than two seconds quicker than second place finisher Nelly Hansson of UT.
he No. 15 University of Tampa women's swimming team outdueled Florida Tech on the road, Saturday. The Spartans won by a decisive 140-60 final score to claim the road meet over teh Panthers.
Freshman Makayla Ayers swept the distance events while Victoria Horsman and Marisa Barton each added a pair of wins.
The Spartans kicked off the meet with a win in the 200 medley relay, as Catherine Bayes, Page Fox, Horsman and Amanda Fernandes combined for a top time of 1:53.17. Ayers followed up with an individual win in the 1000 yard freestyle, touching the wall after 10:49.52 minutes.
Sophomore Sophie Long continued the winning ways for Tampa, besting the opposition in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 1:59.72.
Florida Tech took its first event of the meet, as Lauren Suarez won the 50 free in 24.45 seconds. The Panthers pulled closer with a win in the 400 individual medley before Spartan freshman Horsman claimed the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 1:00.10.
Barton battled to a victory in the 100 free after touching the wall in 54.07 seconds. Ayers won the 500 freestyle with a top time of 5:20.90 before Ali Lombardi took the final individual event of the meet, winning the 100 yard breaststroke with a time of 1:10.28.
UT finished off the meet by winning the 200 yard freestyle relay behind the combined performance of Barton, Fernandes, Long and Allison Hutchins, touching the wall after 1:38.96 to win by a decisive 140-60 over the hosts.
The Panthers won’t get much of a break as FIT hosts SSC foes Lynn and Saint Leo at the Panther Aquatic Center on Tuesday. The meet is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
