Florida State University Athletics
Vear Sets FSU Record at Auburn First Chance
2/9/2024 9:33:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
AUBURN, Ala. – The No.16/RV Florida State swimming and diving teams saw success on the first day of Auburn First Chance Invitational at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.
Samantha Vear had a career day, setting the FSU record on 3-meter with a total of 380.13. Vear scored between 6.5-7.5 on all six dives to secure the win over her teammate Kayleigh Clark (328.95), who also set her personal best.
Vear takes down the standard that was set back in 2013 by Kelsey Goodman at 373.05.
"I am so proud of Sammy," FSU head diving coach John Proctor said. "She's been working so hard. It was great to see her put it all together today. She dove really well today and there is no one more deserving of a program record."
Vear also posted her best score on 1-meter, winning with a total of 323.18.
The women's 200 medley relay also qualified for the 2024 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships by achieving the automatic time of 1:36.24 behind the team of Sarah Evans, Maddy Huggins, Jenny Halden and Gloria Muzito.
Halden won the 100 fly behind a career best swim of 51.83, which is the third-best time in FSU history and is faster than the 2023 NCAA invited time (52.20).
"We had a fantastic day," FSU head coach Neal Studd said. "The women getting the NCAA cut opens up all of our relays for postseason. Jenny swimming her best was awesome. She should be in NCAAs, and Sammy getting the school record just set us up to have great performances all around."
The women started off the meet by finishing second and third in the 200 free relay. The team of Gabrianna Banks, Brooke Arnold, Kiara Caamano and Hailey Heldenbrand turned in the top time of 1:32.85. Mika Heideyer, Jaden Herbet, Elena Dewhurst and Sara Moulson followed in third (1:34.02).
The Seminoles finished third and fourth in the 500 free, led by Ella Dyjak (4:54.83), who touched ahead of Brooke Arnold, posting her season best (4:55.17).
Maddy Huggins led the way for the Noles in the 200 IM, placing third at 2:01.43 ahead of Sydney Boals in fifth, who set a season best at 2:03.98.
Herbet contributed her best in the 50 free, touching 10th at 23.61 ahead of Moulson (23.62) in 11th and Heldenbrand (23.64) in 12th.
The morning session concluded with Heldenbrand, Boals, Jenny Bird and Heideyer turning in a time of 3:48.33 for the win in the 400 medley relay.
Boals placed third in the 400 IM at 4:23.18 and Arnold finished sixth in the 200 free behind her career best at 1:48.54.
Rachel Moran turned in the top time in the 100 breast for the Noles, finishing seventh at 1:05.17 and Herbet touched fourth in the 100 back (55.30).
Members of the 16th-ranked men's team started the meet by turning in a time of 1:20.41 in the 200 free relay behind Eli Butters, Nico Cecchi, Rian Covington and Matt Koziol for the win.
Brennan Hammond turned in the time for the Noles in the 200 IM, touching seventh at 1:49.94 ahead of Medhi Elaoufir in eighth (1:50.36).
Florida State swept the podium in the 50 free, led by Peter Varjasi in first (19.50). Covington swam his personal best for second place (20.04) and Eli Butters grabbed third (20.32). Varjasi later won the 100 fly behind a career best of 46.07, which is the sixth-fastest time in school history.
The top 400 medley relay team of Cecchi, Jaydon Cunningham, Hammond and Koziol touched first at 3:16.74.
As the leadoff leg, Cecchi turned in his season best in the 100 back, splitting 48.79. Cecchi later lowered that mark in the individual race, touching at 48.55 for fourth place behind Connor Lowery (48.50) in third.
Jack Rowell placed sixth in the 400 IM, touching at 3:58.95. Jaydon Cunnigham swam his fastest time in the 100 breast, touching second at 53.47. His performance ranks ninth in school history.
On the boards, the Seminoles finished first, second and third on 1-meter, led by Jesco Helling at 357.00. David Vargas followed in second (355.50) and Darwin Nolasco was third (346.05). On 3-meter, Vargas was the winner, scoring 372.00 ahead of Helling in second (371.18).
Saturday's events will start at 11 a.m. and live timing will be available through meet mobile.
For updates and exclusive content, follow the Seminoles on X (@FSU_Swimming), Instagram (@fsuswimdive) and Facebook (FSUSwimmingDiving).
Samantha Vear had a career day, setting the FSU record on 3-meter with a total of 380.13. Vear scored between 6.5-7.5 on all six dives to secure the win over her teammate Kayleigh Clark (328.95), who also set her personal best.
Vear takes down the standard that was set back in 2013 by Kelsey Goodman at 373.05.
"I am so proud of Sammy," FSU head diving coach John Proctor said. "She's been working so hard. It was great to see her put it all together today. She dove really well today and there is no one more deserving of a program record."
Vear also posted her best score on 1-meter, winning with a total of 323.18.
The women's 200 medley relay also qualified for the 2024 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships by achieving the automatic time of 1:36.24 behind the team of Sarah Evans, Maddy Huggins, Jenny Halden and Gloria Muzito.
Halden won the 100 fly behind a career best swim of 51.83, which is the third-best time in FSU history and is faster than the 2023 NCAA invited time (52.20).
"We had a fantastic day," FSU head coach Neal Studd said. "The women getting the NCAA cut opens up all of our relays for postseason. Jenny swimming her best was awesome. She should be in NCAAs, and Sammy getting the school record just set us up to have great performances all around."
The women started off the meet by finishing second and third in the 200 free relay. The team of Gabrianna Banks, Brooke Arnold, Kiara Caamano and Hailey Heldenbrand turned in the top time of 1:32.85. Mika Heideyer, Jaden Herbet, Elena Dewhurst and Sara Moulson followed in third (1:34.02).
The Seminoles finished third and fourth in the 500 free, led by Ella Dyjak (4:54.83), who touched ahead of Brooke Arnold, posting her season best (4:55.17).
Maddy Huggins led the way for the Noles in the 200 IM, placing third at 2:01.43 ahead of Sydney Boals in fifth, who set a season best at 2:03.98.
Herbet contributed her best in the 50 free, touching 10th at 23.61 ahead of Moulson (23.62) in 11th and Heldenbrand (23.64) in 12th.
The morning session concluded with Heldenbrand, Boals, Jenny Bird and Heideyer turning in a time of 3:48.33 for the win in the 400 medley relay.
Boals placed third in the 400 IM at 4:23.18 and Arnold finished sixth in the 200 free behind her career best at 1:48.54.
Rachel Moran turned in the top time in the 100 breast for the Noles, finishing seventh at 1:05.17 and Herbet touched fourth in the 100 back (55.30).
Members of the 16th-ranked men's team started the meet by turning in a time of 1:20.41 in the 200 free relay behind Eli Butters, Nico Cecchi, Rian Covington and Matt Koziol for the win.
Brennan Hammond turned in the time for the Noles in the 200 IM, touching seventh at 1:49.94 ahead of Medhi Elaoufir in eighth (1:50.36).
Florida State swept the podium in the 50 free, led by Peter Varjasi in first (19.50). Covington swam his personal best for second place (20.04) and Eli Butters grabbed third (20.32). Varjasi later won the 100 fly behind a career best of 46.07, which is the sixth-fastest time in school history.
The top 400 medley relay team of Cecchi, Jaydon Cunningham, Hammond and Koziol touched first at 3:16.74.
As the leadoff leg, Cecchi turned in his season best in the 100 back, splitting 48.79. Cecchi later lowered that mark in the individual race, touching at 48.55 for fourth place behind Connor Lowery (48.50) in third.
Jack Rowell placed sixth in the 400 IM, touching at 3:58.95. Jaydon Cunnigham swam his fastest time in the 100 breast, touching second at 53.47. His performance ranks ninth in school history.
On the boards, the Seminoles finished first, second and third on 1-meter, led by Jesco Helling at 357.00. David Vargas followed in second (355.50) and Darwin Nolasco was third (346.05). On 3-meter, Vargas was the winner, scoring 372.00 ahead of Helling in second (371.18).
Saturday's events will start at 11 a.m. and live timing will be available through meet mobile.
For updates and exclusive content, follow the Seminoles on X (@FSU_Swimming), Instagram (@fsuswimdive) and Facebook (FSUSwimmingDiving).
Players Mentioned
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