FIU Surges Ahead on Day 2 in a Tight Race for the Conference USA Championship Crown
- Wednesday, February 18- Saturday, February 21
- Knoxville, TN- Allan Jones Aquatic Center
- Prelims/Finals Wednesday 2 PM (diving)/6 PM, Thursday-Saturday 10:30 AM/6 PM (Eastern Time Zone)
- Championship Central
- Note: the women’s meet is the Conference USA Championship, while the men’s meet is the “Conference USA Invitational,” awarding a meet title but no official conference crown.
Women’s Session
Western Kentucky University was the first to break away from the night one tie on top of the leaderboard after senior Susan Marquess jumped out to a win in the 500 freestyle (4:44.05). FIU started to chip away at that lead with a 1-2-3 finish in the 200 IM led by Johanna Gustafsdottir. The Iceland native bettered her best time by .61 seconds in the win.
Moving into the 50 freestyle we would see FIU take over the lead as freshman Letizia Bertelli won in a time of 22.94. The Panthers had four swimmers final in this event tonight, and they were able to capitalize on their sprinting strength. WKU only saw two sprinters make it back to swim tonight and that hurt them in comparison.
After not placing any divers, WKU was out to make a statement in the final relay. Despite not showing as well in the individual 50, the Hilltoppers were able to hold off a charging Rice team in the end. Diving ended up being the difference maker in the team scores, though. Even with the big relay win WKU still sits in second behind FIU because of that lack of scoring on the boards, with their best diver being absent with an injury.
FIU didn’t have the best showing in the 3 meter event, but they were able to pick up some points in the event that was won by senior Rachel Eckert from ODU. It’s a bit of a war of attrition in the conference, but FIU’s best diver is also out with an injury, which kept them from piling on too big in those events. After an incredible relay time trial this morning Rice wasn’t able to transition that excitement into tonight’s finals and still sits in third, struck by the same lack of diving as WKU (Rice doesn’t have a diver on their roster).
Men’s Session
The second night of the men’s invitational saw a swap in the scoreboard as ODU finished out the day on top. WKU jumped to the lead after the first event with a win from Cody Reul (4:24.33), and they kept that momentum rolling with a 200 IM win by Fabian Schwingenschlogl. A powerful opening 22.81 was enough to give Schwingenschlogl a lead that he would never relinquish.
Florida Atlantic tried to make up some ground in the 50 freestyle, and Mathieu Burtez was able to do what he needed to by holding on after qualifying first for finals. His 19.82 was a little off his prelims swim of 19.69, but it was still enough to win decisively. FAU was able to close the night with a win in the 200 free relay, but they still sit in third overall. ODU, WKU, and FAU are all very close and it’s still anyone’s game.
Team Scores
Women
- Florida International University- 253
- Western Kentucky University– 235
- Rice University- 203
- Marshall University– 189
- Florida Atlantic University- 156
- University of North Texas-130
Men
- Old Dominion University- 284
- Western Kentucky University- 265
- Florida Atlantic University- 252
