coach Marleneanu: It was a good weekend overall
Florida Tech Swim Crew Wraps Up Fall Frenzy
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the Florida Tech men’s and women’s squad finished up the Fall Frenzy hosted by Queens University—they came back stronger, slightly sweaty, and with plenty to brag about.
Women’s Showdowns
- 400 Free Relay – The Panther squad (Debora Xavier, London Best, Miranda Olhasso, Kate Helminiak) zipped to 12th place in 3:28.96, setting a brand‑new program record.
Split times: 52.57, 52.74, 51.90, 51.75. - 200 Backstroke – Melissa Zucco slashed a program record with 2:03.74, clutching 13th place.
- 200 Butterfly – Abby Briggs nailed 23rd at 2:08.47; Sam Bullard netted 31st at 2:12.34.
- 1650 Free – Abby Briggs made the final, landing 27th in 18:03.87.
Day‑Three Standings (Women)
- Queens – 1310
- Nova Southeast – 1197
- Duquesne – 1148
- La Salle – 522
- Wingate – 808
- James Madison – 781
- Flexing the list a bit…
Men’s Face‑Offs
- 400 Free Relay – Adam Szczerba, Efe Ongoren, Akos Hajagos, Dylan Ostolaza crossed the line 10th, clocking 3:01.97.
Split times: 45.59, 45.88, 45.15, 45.35. - 1650 Free – Efe Ongoren pounced on 6th place with 15:49.33, earning an NCAA B‑Cut—and he was a nose‑hole runner in the 1000 Free too.
- 200 Backstroke – Zachary Reese landed 6th at 1:49.39; Dylan Ostolaza not far behind in 1:49.49.
- 200 Butterfly – Five men carved out finals spots: Dan Kunin (11th, 1:50.36), Jay Fonnotto (18th, 1:51.86), Nathan Scott, Collin Meadows, and Camden Bell filled out the list.
- 100 Free – Adam Szczerba shot 30th with 45.71.
Men’s Day‑One Standings
- Queens – 1957.5
- Wingate – 1366.5
- Nova Southeast – 946
- Florida Tech – 598
- SCAD (GA) – 580.5
- …and the rest wound down the scoreboard.
Coach’s Corner
Head Coach Tony Marleneanu sums it up: “It was a strong weekend overall. We learned a ton about where we’re at in the season and what needs to tighten up before conference play. Some amazing performances, but there’s still room to grow. I’m truly proud of my team.”
Florida Tech Panthers Women’s Soccer Team Makes Academic All‑District Splash!
Picture this: the bright‑blue jerseys, the squeaky leather of the ball, and the grid‑lined campus of Florida Tech—stars coming together, not just on the pitch but also in the classroom. Six of the Panthers’ female athletes just snagged spots on the CSC Academic All‑District Team, proving that hard work pays off both on and off the field.
The Academic Dream Team
- Rachel McAllister – Computer Science (Cum Laude)
- Mariana Gutierrez – Biology (Dean’s List)
- Ahmad Hassan – Business Administration (Major Honors)
- Tina Lee – Marketing (High GPA)
- Nicole Davis – Mathematics (Top 10%)
- Jasmine Kim – English (Creative Writing Award)
Each of these athletes balances rigorous coursework with a demanding practice schedule—think early morning drills, late‑night essay edits, and game‑day pep talks. Coach Lisa Ramirez says, “It’s the perfect blend of stamina and smarts.” And these six are living it.
Why It Matters
Being named to the CSC Academic All‑District Team guarantees that the Panthers’ commitment to scholarship is as loud as the cheers from the St. Johns Stadium. The athletes will travel to the national conference where they’ll compete for top honors, bringing home more than just a trophy; they’ll bring recognition to the entire university.
Behind the Scenes
During the months leading up to the award announcement, the women poured over textbooks, refined their research projects, and still found time for soccer. Says one of them, “I’ve got my feet on the ground, but I’m also reaching for the stars.” Their passion is contagious, and the entire campus buzzes with pride.
In the meantime, the Panthers who aren’t on the All‑District list are still grinding, working on their next season, and gearing up to help the team break new ground. Their dedication means that the future promises even more gold, both from the playbook and the registrar’s office.
Stay in the Know
Want more stories about the Panthers and the exciting happenings across Brevard County? Keep watching—because the next broadcast will have more games, more grades, and a few more smiles.
