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FIU Snags 3rd-Straight Conference USA Crown

FIU claimed its third-straight Conference USA Swimming and Diving Championship on Saturday, finishing the four-day event with 922.5 total points, the fourth-highest score in C-USA history. Three-time C-USA champion Rice finished second with 749 points and Marshall took third with a score of 724.

Kyna Pereira of FIU was tabbed C-USA Swimmer of the Meet after tallying four total medals along with a pair of individual victories. The junior defended her title in the 500-yd freestyle and also set a new school record in the 200-yd freestyle (1:46.16). After leading throughout the entire championship en route to a third-straight title, Panther head coach Randy Horner was named C-USA Swimming Coach of the Year.

On the boards, a dominant display by Florida Atlantic freshman Victoria Moretti netted her the 2017 C-USA Diver of the Meet award. Moretti captured the honor with gold medals in in both the 1M and 3M diving events along with a silver medal in the platform program. Florida Atlantic Diving Coach Yadiel Gamboa subsequently took home the C-USA Diving Coach of the Year award. All championship superlative awards were selected by a vote of the league's head coaches.

FIU's team total of 922.5 overall points over the course of the four-day event, is the fourth-most in C-USA Swimming and Diving Championship history. The Panthers held a strong lead throughout the week and used a solid final day to take home the title by a difference of 173.5 points.

Rounding out the final standings behind champion FIU (922.5 points) and runner-up Rice (749) are Marshall (724), North Texas (435.5), Old Dominion (326) and Florida Atlantic (221).

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