Pitt
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Pitt Invite Opens Successfully for Panthers
11/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams opened the first day of competition at the Pitt Invitational with strong performances that put both squads firmly in front on Friday at Trees Pool.
“No matter how we try and sell it, one of the hardest things in our sport to do is swim when your body is overworked and tired,” said head coach Chuck Knoles. “The pressure is on for us to learn how to do these things in season now that we’re in the ACC. Our goal is to move up in the ACC, and if we’re going to be honest about what we’re doing then we’re going to have to ask the kids to swim fast when they’re tired. They did that tonight.”
The Panthers kicked off the evening’s finals with a bang, starting with a 1-4 sweep in the women’s 1M diving competition. Freshman Meme Sharp led the way with a winning score of 294.20.
Pitt’s relay teams found a great deal of success as well, with both the men’s and women’s squads posting season best times in the 200 free relay. Emily Murphy, Rachel Brown, Melissa Pocsai, and Danyel Johnson made up the women’s winners, while David Sweeney, Gabe Larson, Haden Calegan, and Brian Lovasik paced the men.
Senior Kaleigh Ritter (4:48.29) and sophomore Amanda Richey (4:51.67) finished first and second, respectively, in the 500 free – the two fastest times for the team in that event this season. Freshman Meghan Joram and senior Bethany DeWitt trailed just behind in fourth and fifth.
Amanda Richey weighs in on her top seeded 500 free time for tonight's finals. pic.twitter.com/BqbB72hB0T
— Pitt Swim & Dive (@PittSwimAndDive) November 20, 2015
Junior Zach Lierley won the 200 IM with a new personal best time of 1:48.85. Junior Kinga Cichowska (2:03.50) and freshman Hannah Wittman finished second and third on the women’s side of the event.
Zach Lierley shares his thoughts on winning the 200 IM. pic.twitter.com/6omhseSJAK
— Pitt Swim & Dive (@PittSwimAndDive) November 21, 2015
The Panthers dominated the women’s 50 free, owning seven of the eight championship heat slots. Johnson took the win at 22.91, closely followed by Murphy (22.99). Sweeney posted a time of 20.67 to take second for the men.
The men’s 3M diving competition came down to junior Tony Galante’s final dive, but he delivered in the clutch to take the event with a score of 349.50.
Galante takes a turn on the 3M. pic.twitter.com/hfBjie2IXA
— Pitt Swim & Dive (@PittSwimAndDive) November 20, 2015
Pitt wrapped up the night with a win in the women’s 400 medley relay and a runner-up finish for the men.
Day two of the Pitt Invitational will start Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with prelims back at Trees Pool. Finals are set to begin at 5 p.m.
