Florida State vs. Miami, Florida Gulf Coast

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, October 23. THE Florida State women's swimming and diving team pulled out the close races to earn victories against Miami and Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday at the Morcom Aquatic Center. The Seminoles (5-0, 1-0) defeated Miami 179.5-120.5 and Florida Gulf Coast 213-87.

"We trained hard this week and we knew that we would have some battles," head coach Neil Harper said. "Miami's a great rival for us so we new we had our hands full and I liked the way our girls stepped up and said not today."

In one of the turning points of the meet, freshman sprinter Tiffany Oliver was able to out-touch Miami swimmer in both the 50 and 100 free. Oliver won the 50 with a time of 23.31 and the 100 free in 50.61. The time between first and second in both races was a combined three tenths of a second.

"When I looked at the meet I thought that the sprint events would be a tell-tale sign," Harper said. "I told Tiffany we would be swimming against people who are going to challenge for ACC titles so to go against them and do well is a shot in the arm for our program."

"It kind of surprised me because I knew that it was going to be fierce competition," Oliver said. "In the end I gave it my all and put my head down and touched the wall to see what happened."

Junior honorable mention All-American Stephanie Sarandos also won a pair of events sweeping the 100 (56.32) and 200 back (2:00.21). On the diving boards freshman Kelsey Goodman earned her first career victory as a Seminole winning the three-meter board with a score of 344.05.

"It was exciting to get the win," Goodman said. "I wasn't even thinking about winning and I just tried to do my best. I'm really happy with how I performed."

On the men's side, the Seminoles (3-0) defeated Florida A&M 122-43. For the most part the senior and juniors took the day off and the sophomores and freshmen stepped up to win every event.

"Our senior captains really acted as coaches for the guys today," Harper said. "They swam in some events they don't always swim, but when you put on a Garnet and Gold suit you better give it your best shot and they did. FAMU really competed well and it's great to see their program growing."

Next up for Florida State is a trip to LSU on Saturday, October 30.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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