Swim and Dive Sweep Season Opener

Friday, September 19

Boca Raton, Fla.

2:15 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

Indian River

Photo by: Keira Arimenta

9/19/2025 5:54:00 PM | Swimming & Diving

Results (pdf)

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic men's and women's swimming and diving teams opened the 2025-26 season against Indian River on Friday, with the Owls sweeping the competition.

The men outscored the Pioneers 186 to 113 while the women put up 223 points compared to Indian River's 77.

The highlight of the season opener came during the men's 100 free when senior Daniel Laureyssens broke an 11-year school record. He later lowered his own school record during the 400 free relay with a time of 43.28

QUOTABLE

Head Coach Lara Preacco's thoughts on today's season opening sweep!#WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/ph2iuOuM40
— Florida Atlantic Swim & Dive (@FAUSwimDive) September 19, 2025

QUICK HITS
Women

The meet began with Owls victorious in the 200 medley relay. The team of Megan Drover-Smith, Nula Gow, Yasemine Safargar, and Ella Freeman opened the season with a time of 1:44.87.
Talitha McEwan opened her sophomore campaign with wins in the 1000 free (10:13.20) and 500 free (4:58.45).
Maja Piotrowicz grabbed the Owls third victory winning the 100 breast (1:02.92).
In her first race as an Owl, Bella Answeeney raced to first place in the 200 fly (2:03.11) and 100 fly (56.84).
The 50 free and 100 free saw Ludo Pavia opening her season with wins in times of 23.51 and 51.11.
On the diving board, newcomer Augusta Ness won the 1-meter diving with a total score of 237.53. Senior Grace Powell took home the win in the 3-meter diving scoring 260.48.
In the 200 back, Drover-Smith, a reigning American Conference silver medalist, opened her season up with a win (2:01.41).
Gow was victorious in the 200 breast with a time of 2:15.66.
Freeman also won the 200 IM (2:07.96).
The day concluded a victory in the 400 free relay, winning a time of 3:26.32.

Men

Similar to the women, the men took first place in the 200 medley with the team of Rush Clark, John Reese Taylor, Leyton Roe, and Laureyssens logging a time of 1:28.25.
In his first meet as an Owl, freshman Sabian Branch won the 1000 free and 500 free in times of 9:25.26 & 4:32.92.
Laureyssens continued his winning ways in the 200 free swimming to a time of 1:35.64, beating the rest of the field by over five seconds. He then broke the school record in the 100 free which was later broken again during the 400 free relay (43.28).
Clark added a two more victories to his day, victorious in the 200 fly (1:48.25) and 100 fly (47.95).
Roe won his second event in his Owls debut, taking the 50 free (20.24).
The diving events saw Rocco Simonelli win the 3mtr diving (340.20) and 1mtr diving (315.00).
The men closed out the meet winning the 400 free relay in a time of 2:59.58.

ON DECK
The Owls will have a short break before heading south to compete in the TYR Fall Classic at the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center hosted by FIU.

SCHEDULE
For the full 2025-26 swim & dive schedule, click HERE.

ROSTER
For the full 2025-26 swim & dive roster, click HERE.

FOLLOW THE OWLS
For complete coverage from the meet and more FAU swimming & diving news, follow along on social media platforms (@fauswimdive).