Florida State vs. Florida Atlantic, Florida International

BOCA RATON, Florida, October 3. AFTER driving all day to Boca Raton, Fla., the Florida State swimming and diving team got a chance to stretch out in the water as the Seminoles defeated Florida Atlantic and Florida International to open the dual meet season. The men defeated the Owls 198-97 while the women defeated FAU 206-88 and the Panthers 213-75.

"We were up early this morning and left Tallahassee, got to pool, swam a little and then competed," FSU head coach Neil Harper said. "Highly trained athletes don't really like to do that. The thing that impressed me was they responded well, they raced well and it was a great way to start off the season."

After redshirting last season to compete in the Olympic Trials redshirt seniors Jarryd Botha, Ed Denton and Kyle Young returned to the pool for their final year in style. The trio each won one race as Botha took home the 50 free (21.22), Denton the 100 free (47.31) and Young the 500 free (4:33.10).

"I think that was good for us and good for them," Harper said. "They weren't able to contribute last year so to finally get their senior year kicked off was great and it looked like they were having fun. They led by example and I think the team followed them."

The men also got a sweep in the backstroke events by new junior Andy Hodgson who won the 100 back (50.76) and 200 back (1:48.12). In diving, 2008 U.S. National Champion Terry Horner won the one-meter competition with a score of 379.38 while senior Scott Derner was victorious on the three-meter (368.10).

On the women's side several Seminoles came out of the gates strong with three swimmers earning a pair of victories. Senior captain Kylen Huntwork swept the breaststroke events winning the 100 breast (1:06.87) and 200 breast (2:23.10), sophomore Stevi Steinhauer won both the 50 free (24.13) and 100 free (52.47) and freshman Stephanie Sarandos made her Seminole debut winning the 100 back (57.54) and 200 back (2:06.39). On the diving boards freshman Elysse Rowland took home her first career victory winning the one-meter (280.20) while junior Katie Sirounis was victorious on the three-meter (310.45).

"A lot of our girls looked strong tonight," Harper said." For being in the bus all day they really got after it and set the tone and if this is how we're going to swim this season it will be a good year."

The Seminole women will be back in the pool Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. in Coral Gables Fla, to take on ACC rival Miami and Florida Gulf Coast. The men's diving team will also compete against the Hurricane divers.

"We swim against our first ACC opponent and a young team from Florida Gulf Coast," Harper said. "I think after traveling today and swimming tomorrow we can get caught napping and we have to bounce back and come back strong. It's important for us to swim good two days in a row."

Special thanks to Florida State for contributing this report.

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