University of Pittsburgh Athletics
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Penn State
Pitt Women Defeat Penn State for First Time since 1989, Sweep All Four Relays Against Notre Dame
10/21/2023 1:46:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Pittsburgh women's swimming and diving team defeated Penn State for the first time since 1989 during a double dual meet at the Rolfs Aquatic Center, Saturday morning. The Panthers came out victorious over the Nittany Lions by the score of 199-154 and fell to the Fighting Irish 194-159.
"This was an absolutely incredible weekend for our women's team," said head coach Chase Kreitler. "Seeing our team beat Penn State for the first time since 1989 was truly special! The whole weekend our energy on deck and commitment to swimming and diving for each other showed. Winning thirteen of nineteen events against PSU including all four relays was a total TEAM effort. In addition, we pushed a very deep Notre Dame team and actually won ten events to their nine events, including all four relays. Breaking two school relay records in a dual meet is a very rare event. The hard work that we have been putting in over the last year and a half is starting to show. It's clear that our team has big goals and we are headed in a great direction. While I'm really proud of the effort our team put forth this weekend, I'm most proud of how we have come together as a women's team, men's team and combined team and the pride I see our athletes have competing for Pitt."
The Panthers were dominant in the relays over the two-day meet, sweeping Notre Dame in all four relay events and breaking two school records in the 400 Medley Relay and the 400 Free Relay. The 400 Free Relay team picked up where the Panthers left off on Friday, breaking another school record. The relay team of Avery Kudlac, Sophie Yendell, Sydney Gring, and Claire Jansen finished first overall and claimed the school record with a time of 3:18.23. The relay time is currently the fifth fastest time in the nation.
The 200 Medley Relay Jansen, Jessica Strong, Yendell, and Kudlac also claimed another event win with a time of 1:38.40, currently tied for the sixth fastest time in the nation.
Freshman Sydney Gring picked up two individual event wins in the 200 IM (1:59.93) and the 200 Fly (1:59.13). Yendell won the 50 Free with a time of 22.63 and Jansen won the 100 Back with a time of 53.54. Gring's time in the 200 IM is ranked No. 15 and her time in the 200 Fly is No. 23. Yendell's time is tied for the No. 16 fastest time in the nation while Jansen's time is currently No. 20.
Kudlac finished third overall in the 200 Free (1:49.40) while Strong finished third overall, first to Penn State, in the 200 Breast with a time of 2:17.96.
Sophomore Emily Bucaro secured a second-place finish to Penn State and third to Notre Dame in the 1000 Free (10:05.15). Junior diver Jess Vega finished fourth overall in the 3-meter (262.20) to help add to the Panthers' point total.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to Pittsburgh to host George Washington Nov. 3-4 at Trees Pool. Pitt will host an exhibition platform meet on Friday at 5 p.m. with swimming events beginning at 10 a.m. with diving to follow on Saturday.
Players Mentioned
