BOCA RATON, Fla. (Men’s and Women’s Swimming) – Despite a number of great performances, including many season-best times, both the men’s and women’s teams were unable to keep pace with the Owls of Florida Atlantic Friday afternoon.
The Panther men fell in a fairly tight race, being outscored by FAU 119-86. Still missing the talents of top-Sunshine State Conference performer Dar Raz, the women’s squad was overmatched by their Division I counterparts and were defeated 169-35.
As has been the case all season thus far, sophomore Yagoh Kubagawa was as strong as they come. The native Brazilian won three races over the Owls. Kubagawa took the crown in the 1,000 free (9:42.70), the 200 IM (1:53.20) and the 500 free (4:40.51).
Freshman Emanuele Rossi also impressed, touching first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.66) and finishing just behind Kubagawa for second in the 500 free (4:40.95). Brian Dumont was another top performers for FIT, winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 59.20 and teaming up with Eric Berg, Nir Barnea and Edward Ilako for first in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:34.04.
Barnea (51.23) just missed out on a second event win, coming up a hundredth of a second short of Michael Rahrig’s time in the 100 butterfly.
On the women’s side, Julie Coen and Paulina Bjorkbackafinished in second and third, respectively, in the 100-yard backstroke. Coen registered a 1:01.61, while Bjokbacka timed in at 1:03.10.
Shelby Pearce, Lauren Suarez, Rachel Barczyk and Willa Huddleston joined forces for a third place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay, making the final touch in 1:42.68. The Panthers also took third in the 200 medley relay as Bjorkbacka, Schelli Linz, Jill Collins and Huddleston came in at 1:55.13.
The Panthers will now return home to the Panther Aquatic Center and prepare to host the Panther Invitational. The invitational is set for Nov. 19-22.
Swimming news courtesy of Florida Tech Swimming & Diving.
