Naomi Ruele Lowers Record and Leads FIU Sweep of 50 at Conference USA

30 January 2016: FIU's Naomi Ruele prepares to compete in the 100 yard freestyle as the FIU Golden Panthers faced the University of Miami Hurricanes at the Biscayne Bay Campus Aquatics Center in Miami, Florida.

Photo Courtesy: Sam Lewis

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By Cathleen Pruden, Swimming World College Intern

Florida International grew their lead this evening with a number of impressive performances.

Florida International went 1-2 to open the night. Kyna Pereira earned an NCAA B cut in her 500 freestyle win. She stopped the clock at 4:45.62. Teammate Illaria Manzella finished in 4:48.22. Hanna Huston placed third for Rice with her time of 4:50.66.

In the second event of the night, two more NCAA B cuts were earned. Jaecey Parham finished in 2:00.25 to take the 200 IM title for Rice. Agi Bucz stopped the clock at 2:01.11 for second. The Florida Atlantic senior also met the B cut mark. Marshall freshman Caroline Wanner finished third (2:01.68).

Naomi Ruele became the sole owner of the meet record with her 50 freestyle performance tonight. The FIU freshman dropped an additional tenth from the morning to finish in 22.23. She lead a Panther sweep of the podium in an event in which the top four swimmers all earned a B cut. Sophomore Letizia Bertelli touched second in 22.82, while her junior teammate Jenny Deist rounded out the top three in 22.88.

FIU scored more impressive team points finishing second and third on the three meter board. But, it was Megan Wolons from Marshall who took home the Conference title with 316.70 points. Becca Quesnel and Lily Kaufmann earned second and third with 307.30 and 288.20 points for the Panthers.

After their individual sprinting success, it was no surprise to see Florida International dominate the 200 freestyle relay. Ruele, Bertelli, Jenny Alfani, and Deist combined for a 1:30.70. Lauren Cowher, Gloriya Mavrova, Maggie Stovall, and Chloe Parsemain finished second for Marshall in 1:33.45. Florida Atlantic (1:33.79) rounded out the podium with the team of Bucz, Rachel Crino, Katie Dodge, and Hannah Roper (1:33.79).

Team scores through event 7:

Florida International 339
Marshall 222
Rice 203
North Texas 160
Florida Atlantic 149
Old Dominion 116

Live results here: 2016 Conference USA Live Results – Results

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