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Pitt Sweeps Villanova on Senior Day Behind Record-Setting Performances
1/23/2026 9:38:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
PITTSBURGH — The Pitt swimming and diving teams swept Villanova on Senior Day, with the men posting a 228-70 victory and the women earning a 211-87 win at Trees Pool.
The Panthers captured first place in 30 of the 32 events, highlighted by four pool records and one program record.
Pitt diving set the tone early with three straight wins. Mariana Osorio Mendoza claimed the women's 3-meter title with a score of 297.83, while Noah Bernard won the men's 3-meter event, posting a score of 337.43. Jess Vega capped the opening diving session with a victory on platform, scoring 241.65. Osorio Mendoza later secured her second win of the meet on the 1-meter, recording a score of 297.98.
The swimming portion opened with back-to-back pool records in the 400 medley relay. The women's quartet of Claire Jansen, Angelina Messina, Sydney Gring and Avery Kudlac touched first with a time of 3:33.14, while the men's team of Mason Leach, Eli Hobson, Alan Vergine and Julian Koch followed with a record-breaking time of 3:07.85.
Kimmy Shannon and Emily Bucaro finished first and second in the 1,000 freestyle, each posting personal-best times. Shannon won the event in 9:46.05, followed closely by Bucaro in 9:49.51.
Avery Hafele captured the 50 freestyle, setting a personal best with a time of 23.03. Olivia Yoo also delivered a standout performance in the 200 butterfly, earning a personal record by finishing under two minutes for the first time with a time of 1:58.56.
Koch added another pool record in the 100 butterfly, touching in 45.58. Merlin Belmon made his Panther debut memorable with a first-place finish in the 100 freestyle, clocking a time of 43.59.
Shannon continued her strong day by winning the 400 individual medley, setting both a school and pool record with a time of 4:06.18. The Panthers closed the meet with one final pool record, as Kudlac, Gring, Mary Clarke and Jansen won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:29.04.
Up Next
The Panthers return to action Saturday, Jan. 31, traveling to Columbus for a dual meet against Ohio State. Competition is set to begin at 11 a.m.
Players Mentioned
