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ACC / Big Ten Challenge
Pitt’s Helmbacher Wins 400 IM at Inaugural ACC/B1G Challenge
11/11/2018 4:45:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.—University of Pittsburgh junior swimmer Samy Helmbacher won the 400-yard individual medley with the nation's top time in the event at the inaugural ACC/Big Ten Challenge this weekend at Purdue's Burke Aquatic Center.
Competing for the ACC in a dual meet against the Big Ten, Helmbacher emerged victorious in the 400 IM in 3:44.43, giving him the NCAA's top time in the event thus far this season.
"Samy really wanted to get that win for his team," Pitt head coach John Hargis said. "He was even surprised by his incredible time when he finished. Samy swam a great race and proved that he's among the nation's elite right now. We're excited to see what the rest of this season holds for him."
Helmbacher also swam well in his other events, placing fifth in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:48.17, taking seventh in the 200-yard freestyle and splitting a time of 1:36.79 on an ACC 800-yard freestyle relay squad.
Despite Helmbacher's efforts, the Big Ten narrowly defeated the ACC in the men's dual meet, 179-174, while the Big Ten also won in the women's meet, 251-102.
Pitt junior Valerie Daigneault competed for the ACC in the women's meet, posting a personal-best time in the 200-yard individual medley of 1:58.76 to place sixth in that event. Daigneault also swam for one of the ACC's 800-yard freestyle relay, splitting the third leg with an impressive time of 1:46.84.
"Valerie swam really well in her events, posting a top time," Hargis said. "This was a great event all weekend, and we're happy that we had some strong performances to represent well for our conference. It was a tremendous experience for our student-athletes to compete together with some other top athletes from around the ACC."
The Pitt swimming & diving programs will spend the next few days gearing up for their fall invitational meet, the prestigious Ohio State Invitational, which will be held from this upcoming Thursday through Saturday (Nov. 15-17) in Columbus, Ohio.
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Competing for the ACC in a dual meet against the Big Ten, Helmbacher emerged victorious in the 400 IM in 3:44.43, giving him the NCAA's top time in the event thus far this season.
"Samy really wanted to get that win for his team," Pitt head coach John Hargis said. "He was even surprised by his incredible time when he finished. Samy swam a great race and proved that he's among the nation's elite right now. We're excited to see what the rest of this season holds for him."
Helmbacher also swam well in his other events, placing fifth in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:48.17, taking seventh in the 200-yard freestyle and splitting a time of 1:36.79 on an ACC 800-yard freestyle relay squad.
Despite Helmbacher's efforts, the Big Ten narrowly defeated the ACC in the men's dual meet, 179-174, while the Big Ten also won in the women's meet, 251-102.
Pitt junior Valerie Daigneault competed for the ACC in the women's meet, posting a personal-best time in the 200-yard individual medley of 1:58.76 to place sixth in that event. Daigneault also swam for one of the ACC's 800-yard freestyle relay, splitting the third leg with an impressive time of 1:46.84.
"Valerie swam really well in her events, posting a top time," Hargis said. "This was a great event all weekend, and we're happy that we had some strong performances to represent well for our conference. It was a tremendous experience for our student-athletes to compete together with some other top athletes from around the ACC."
The Pitt swimming & diving programs will spend the next few days gearing up for their fall invitational meet, the prestigious Ohio State Invitational, which will be held from this upcoming Thursday through Saturday (Nov. 15-17) in Columbus, Ohio.
#H2P | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
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