Youthful Panthers Drop Opening Duals at Georgia Tech

Friday, October 6

Atlanta, GA

3 p.m.

Pitt

Georgia Tech

Youthful Panthers Drop Opening Duals at Georgia Tech

10/6/2017 6:30:00 PM | Swimming & Diving

Full Results (PDF)

ATLANTA—The Pitt swimming & diving teams were defeated by Georgia Tech on Friday evening at the McAuley Acquatic Center as the Panthers and Yellow Jackets opened the 2017-18 season with an ACC dual meet.

Pitt emerged victorious in 11 individual events—six on the women's side and five men's wins—with four Panthers taking first place in multiple swimming events: Aaron Sett, Amanda Richey, Valerie Daigneault and Lina Rathsack. See below for a full list of Pitt's race winners.

Despite the Panthers' best efforts, including NCAA B-cut swims from Daigneault in the 200 back and Brian Lovasik in the 200 free, Georgia Tech recorded point-total wins as a team of 168-132 in the men's meet and 183.5-116.5 in the women's meet on Friday in Atlanta.

"Give credit to Georgia Tech. They were ready for us," Pitt head coach John Hargis said. "From our standpoint, I was very impressed with how several upperclassmen competed. We had some individuals with really, really strong races. However, our youth definitely learned what it means to compete at this level today. You can't swim scared and expect to win races. We'll be better because of this experience."

Two Pitt newcomers—Blaise Vera and Artur Polyak—did come away with individual wins in the 50 free and 200 back, respectively, which pleased Coach Hargis.

"Blaise and Artur competed to the level that they're capable of, which was great to see," Hargis said. "Overall, we're light years ahead of where we were at this time last year. I'm proud of the work that we've put in to this point. We will keep competing every day at practice. We're really going to see the benefit of our hard work in the championship season of February and March."

In total, 20 Panthers made their Pitt debuts on Friday, including 12 men and eight women, showcasing the youth of Pitt's roster.

In the diving events, Meme Sharp and Joe Ference both earned a pair of second-place finishes in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events as the meet marked the debut for new Pitt diving coach Katie Hazelton.

The Panthers will return to action in two weeks at home when they welcome Virginia and LSU to Trees Pool for a two-day meet on Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21. Friday's action will begin at 4 p.m. before Saturday's competition commences at 10 a.m. against the Cavaliers of the ACC and the Tigers of the SEC in an exciting tri-meet.

Pitt Event Winners vs. Georgia Tech
Men
Aaron Sett (2): 1,000 Free (9:15.92); 500 Free (4:33.46)
Brian Lovasik: 200 Free (1:37.09)
Blaise Vera: 50 Free (20.99)
Artur Polyak: 200 Back (1:49.57)

Women
Amanda Richey (2): 1,000 Free (10:05.48); 500 Free (4:57.52)
Valerie Daigneault (2): 200 Back (1:58.30); 200 IM (2:03.38)
Lina Rathsack (2): 100 Breast (1:03.26); 200 Breast (2:16.19)

NCAA B-Cut Times Achieved
Brian Lovasik: 200 Free (1:37.09)
Valerie Daigneault: 200 Back (1:58.30)

#H2P | #H2oP | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook