Home » Panthers Men’s Swimming Team Win School’s First National Championship In 200 Freestyle

Panthers Men’s Swimming Team Win School’s First National Championship In 200 Freestyle

By  //  March 10, 2017

Nir Barnea, Victor Rocha Furtado, Matthew Gallene and Filip Dujmic Earn Crown

The relay team of Nir Barnea, Victor Rocha Furtado, Matthew Gallene and Filip Dujmic win School’s First National Championship In 200 Freestyle. Swim team head coach Justin Andrade is pictured in middle (FIT image)

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – Thursday was quite a day for the Florida Tech swimming program as the Panthers reeled in their first national championship in program history in the men’s 200 freestyle relay competition.

The relay team of Nir Barnea, Victor Rocha Furtado, Matthew Gallene and Filip Dujmic entered Thursday’s final race fresh off an impressive performance in the morning prelims, as the squad wrapped up the top overall seed with a blistering, and school record pace, of 1:19.47.

The Panthers continued their momentum in the final heat, surpassing the school mark and securing the program’s first national title with a time of 1:19.46.

Following the first leg by Barnea (20.20), FIT found itself in third place as Rocha Furtado dove into the pool. However, strong splits by Rocha Furtado (19.90), Gallene (19.61) and Dujmic (19.75) in the final two legs earned the Panthers the crown, besting second place Bloomsburg by .19 seconds.

The relay team of Nir Barnea, Victor Rocha Furtado, Matthew Gallene and Filip Dujmic entered Thursday’s final race fresh off an impressive performance in the morning prelims, as the squad wrapped up the top overall seed with a blistering, and school record pace, of 1:19.47. (FIT image)

“This is a great group of high character individuals,” stated head coach Justin Andrade. “They trusted the process and worked hard all season long.”

“We are extremely grateful to bring home Florida Tech’s first win at the National Swimming Championships.”

In the other events on Thursday, Adi Davidov and Rocha Furtado competed in the 100 fly competition, with the pair finishing in respective times of 49.12 (24th) and 49.20 (27th).

Unfortunately, their swims were not fast enough to advance them to Thursday’s finals. Davidov’s time, however, was a new personal best for the sophomore.

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The championships resume today with the morning session taking place now, followed by evening finals occurring at 7 p.m.

In the men’s 200 free prelim, Emanuele Rossi ended with a time of 1:39.97, good for 25th overall in the heats. However, he too was unable to move on the final races.

The championships resume today with the morning session taking place now, followed by evening finals occurring at 7 p.m.

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