Scoring the second-most points in Conference USA Championship history, the FIU swimming and diving team claimed its second conference crown in a row late Saturday night.
The Panthers claimed 15 of the 21 total titles during the four-day championships en route to a 954-point result. FIU bested second-place Rice by 318 points — the most-decisive victory in C-USA championship history. Marshall (618.5), North Texas (467), Florida Atlantic (380.5) and Old Dominion (360) rounded out this year’s field.
In all, FIU won 28 medals, including 15 gold, while setting seven school records.
FIU’s dominance resulted in the Panthers sweeping the specialty awards as coach Randy Horner was named C-USA Coach of the Year, diving coach Rio Ramirez was named the C-USA Diving Coach of the Year, sophomore Naomi Ruele was named the C-USA Swimmer of the Year and sophomore Rebecca Quesnel was named the C-USA Diver of the Year.
The Coach of the Year award was the third of Horner’s career, while Ramirez earned his second Diving Coach of the Year in a row. Ruele, who claimed seven gold medals during the championships, became FIU’s third consecutive C-USA Swimmer of the Year.
Men’s tennis
▪ Barry 7, Flagler 2: The Buccaneers (5-1) beat host Flagler on Sunday to cap a three-match weekend. The No. 1 Buccaneers went 2-1 on the weekend.
Women’s tennis
▪ Duke 4, UM 3: The No. 13-ranked Hurricanes battled back from a 2-0 deficit on the road at the ninth-ranked Blue Devils but fell short.
Softball
▪ FIU 6, Siena 1: Freshman pitcher Abby Summers tossed her third complete game of the year and senior catcher Aleima Lopez hit a two-run home run as the host Panthers (11-5) finished their weekend with a victory over the Saints (5-5).
Summers scattered four hits over seven innings, tying a season-high with six strikeouts. She allowed just one walk in the sixth inning.
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