University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Ohio State Invitational
Several Panthers Earn A Seed in the Finals on Day One
12/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Dec. 4, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Junior Kristen McMullen and sophomore Elena Spak earned a seed in the finals, this evening, as Pitt’s swimming and diving team competed in the first day of action at the Ohio State Invitational.
McMullen and Spak earned back-to-back finishes in the 50 free during the prelims, coming in 11th and 12th, respectively. Later, Spak improved to 11th overall with a time of 23.65, while McMullan tied for 13th at 23.81. Their times in the event now top the team’s performance list, this season.
Also swimming in the prelims this morning and finishing in the top-25 of the 50 free was sophomore Yolandi Van Rooyen (24.19), while seniors Allie Horvath (24.38) and Emily DeStefano (24.50) rounded out the top-35 for the Panthers.
Next, freshman Kelsey Herbst led the Panthers in the 500 free with a team-best 4:59.52, placing 21st in the finals. Freshman Victoria Alland and junior Laura Barnes trailed for 23rd and 24th, respectively, overall. Additionally, freshman Liz Tabor (5:08.28) recorded a personal season-best mark in the same event, while Katie Cutrell (5:07.80) earned a top-35 finish.
In the finals of the 200 IM, freshman Joanna Budzis improved to 18th overall with a finish of 2:06.17. Senior Lisa McDonnell placed 20th (2:07.58), while junior Cookie McIntyre (2:07.59) and senior Sophie Cross (2:07.70) touched at 21st and 22nd.
In the prelims of the 200 IM, freshman Yolandi Van Der Merwe finished at 2:09.31 and Barnes recorded a time of 2:10.19.
Pitt’s 200 free relay team of McMullan, Spak, Van Rooyen and McDonnell placed sixth (1:35.43), while the 400 medley relay team placed ninth with a time of 3:51.82.
Saturday’s events begin at 10 a.m. and include the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back, women’s 1M board, men’s 3M board, 200 medley relay and the 800 free relay.
