- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
FIU Swimming & Diving Finishes Fourth at Conference Championship
Panthers earn two bronze medals on final day of competition
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The FIU swimming and diving team concluded the 2026 American Conference Swimming & Diving Championship with a fourth-place team finish, earning a total of 990 points over the four-day event. The Panthers secured two bronze medals on the final day, with sophomore Amara Diop placing third in the 200 backstroke and the 400 free relay team also taking third. FIU had several other strong individual performances, including a seventh-place finish for Diop in the 100 free and a sixth-place result for Leah Gingrich in the 200 breast.
Why it matters
The fourth-place finish continues FIU's strong performance in the American Conference, where the swimming and diving program has been a consistent contender. The team's ability to earn multiple medals, including a gold in the 200 medley relay, showcases the depth and talent of the Panthers' roster.
The details
On the final day of the championship, FIU added two bronze medals to its overall haul. Sophomore Amara Diop captured her first individual conference medal with a third-place finish in the 200 backstroke, posting a time of 1:55.92. The Panthers' 400 free relay team of Diop, Leah Gingrich, Gabriela Bello, and Natalia Sanchez also earned bronze with a combined time of 3:19.53. Individually, Diop added a seventh-place finish in the 100 free, while Gingrich placed sixth in the 200 breast. On the diving boards, FIU had two A-finalists, with Camila Perez (211.10) finishing seventh and Sophia Hernandez (201.00) placing eighth.
- The 2026 American Conference Swimming & Diving Championship took place over four days.
- FIU concluded the championship on February 22, 2026.
The players
Amara Diop
A sophomore swimmer for the FIU Panthers who earned a bronze medal in the 200 backstroke and also had strong individual finishes in the 100 free and as part of the 400 free relay team.
Leah Gingrich
An FIU swimmer who placed sixth in the 200 breast event.
Gabriela Bello
A member of FIU's bronze medal-winning 400 free relay team.
Natalia Sanchez
A member of FIU's bronze medal-winning 400 free relay team.
Camila Perez
An FIU diver who finished seventh in the A-final.
Sophia Hernandez
An FIU diver who finished eighth in the A-final.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
What’s next
FIU looks ahead to NCAA Diving Zones, which are set from March 8 - March 11 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The takeaway
The fourth-place finish at the American Conference Championship continues FIU's strong performance in the league, with the swimming and diving program consistently being a contender. The team's ability to earn multiple medals, including a gold in the 200 medley relay, showcases the depth and talent of the Panthers' roster.
