Melbourne, Fla. - Florida Tech defeated Saint Leo, 116-83, on Saturday at the Panther Aquatic Center.
The Panthers entered Saturday's meet looking to send their seniors on a high note and to earn qualifying times for NCAA.
Tech won six of 13 events and produced several more top-three performances and personal best.
Savannah Brennan has been a huge member of the swimming team and today was no different. Brennan broke her own school records at the Panther Aquatic Center in the 400 IM and 500 Free.
In the 400 IM (4:20.77), Brennan bested her previous mark by six seconds. In the 500 free (4:57.03), the senior shaved nine seconds from her prior record. Brennan is looking to make a statement at the NCAA Swimming Championships after having it taken away from her due to the cancellation of the event.
In the opening of today's meet, Tech registered a second-place finish in the 200 free relay (1:40.75). The relay was joined by Reegan Tiltmann, Emma Oleniczak, Gabija Karosas, and Brennan.
Nicole Rautemberg just missed a personal best in the 200 free (1:53.08) in her first-place finished. Rautemberg later posted a personal best and her second win in the 100 free (52.42).
Kennedy Nolan recorded a personal best in the 200 fly (2:10.86) shaving three seconds from her previous mark.
The Panthers' third personal best time came from Shaelyn Rutta in the 50 free (24.70) giving Tech another first-place finish.
Florida Tech ended the day with a second-place finish in the 200 free relay joined by Rautemberg, Nolan, Rutta, and Brennan.
"Finishing the year at home with a win was the perfect finish for the season and a perfect way to send off our seniors", said head coach David Dent. "We had countless lifetime best and a couple of school records. This was one of the best meets I've ever witnessed here at Florida Tech."
"Today was monumental in Florida Tech Swimming's history", said senior Savannah Brennan. "The difficulties we have faced as a team this year have been grueling, through countless setbacks, canceled meets and practices, and having an overall separation amongst the team due to covid protocols. Every week brought new challenges and hurdles to overcome. But not once did this team's dedication and drive waver. Every chance we were given, we strived to excel and better ourselves as athletes."
"Against the odds, this team rose above and completed the season with some of the highest levels of competition and intensity I have seen in my four years at Florida Tech. I can't put into words how proud I am of my team and my fellow seniors. To have our last meet as seniors result in victory on both sides couldn't have provided a better ending and it goes to show that belief in one's self outweighs tough situations."
Florida Tech had two incredible performances by Brennan and Daniel Aizenberg, from the men's side, both setting school records on the last meet of the 2020-21 season.
"Savannah and Daniel both improved upon their national rankings, so we'll see where that puts them later this week when the NCAA posts the qualifying lists", said Dent.
Full Results: Session 1 https://bit.ly/37W4TDX || Session 2 https://bit.ly/3dUkDv6
Next
Florida Tech will now wait for the qualifying list from the NCAA. The NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships will be hosted in Birmingham, Ala. at the Birmingham Crossplex. The event will start Wednesday, March 17, and will end Saturday, March 20.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Florida Tech women's swimming team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
