On Wednesday, Florida Tech announced its 2016-17 schedule, which includes four home meets and the second annual Panther Invitational. For the first time ever, Florida Tech will offer live video for home meets at the Panther Aquatic Center. Live streaming, when available, will be available at www.FloridaTechSports.com/live.
Florida Tech is looking to build off of an incredibly successful year in 2015-16, when the Panthers claimed six medals at the Sunshine State Conference Championships, including a gold for Nir Barnea in the 50 free. FIT sent seven swimmers to the NCAA Championships in 2016, with the 200 and 400 free relay teams earning All-American honors after respective sixth and eighth-place finishes.
The season will kick off on the road at Saint Leo on Oct. 14, with the women's team also facing off against Lynn at the Marion Bowman Aquatics Center. One week later on Oct. 21, the Panthers will take part in a tri-meet against SSC rival Florida Southern and NAIA member Keiser in Lakeland, Fla.
The home portion of the schedule begins on Nov. 4 against Florida Atlantic, followed by a second matchup with Keiser on Nov. 11. Shortly thereafter, FIT hosts the second annual Panther Invitational Nov. 18-20.
Oklahoma Baptist comes to Melbourne on Jan. 7 before the Panthers hit the road for a meeting with SSC foe Tampa on Jan. 20 in Tampa, Fla. The regular season comes to a close the next day on Jan. 21, welcoming Saint Leo and the Lynn women's team to the Panther Aquatic Center.
After six trips to the podium in 2015-16, the Panthers will look to keep the upward trajectory at the SSC Championships, slated for Feb. 16-19 in Orlando, Florida. Qualifying individuals and teams will advance to the NCAA Championships, to take place Mar. 8-11 in Birmingham, Alabama.
