MIAMI - The FIU swimming and diving team will compete in the upcoming Sun Belt Conference Championships beginning this Wednesday, Feb. 18, in Nashville, Tenn. at the Tracy Caulkin Pool.

Leading the Golden Panthers is senior Sara Giovannoni, who at last year’s SBC Championships broke two school record, as well as her own, in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke with times of 1:04.34 and 1:04.7.  Giovannoni also broke the FIU’s 400 IM record with a time of 4:26.92 earlier this year.

At last year’s SBC Championship the swimming and diving team broke two other FIU records in the 50 and 100 freestyle.  They placed fifth as a team. 

Also competing in the meet will be freshman diver, Namiko Shibata, who already qualified for NCAA Zone Diving Championships in March.

“We are looking forward to seeing some great results from Namiko, as well as out other veterans, including Sara Giovannoni,” said Coach Noemi Zaharia.  “It will be exciting to see how she is going to finish up her college career.  This is what we’ve worked for all year and we hope to have some strong results, the girls are excited and ready to swim fast, and represent FIU well.”

A complete schedule of events as well as daily results are available at SunBeltSports.org.