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Panthers Grab Eight First-Place Finishes Over Ranked Ohio State
1/31/2026 3:06:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Pitt Swim and Dive turned in eight first place finishes in their final dual meet of the season against Ohio State on Saturday at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.
The No.11 Buckeye women defeated Panthers 195-105 and the No.13 Ohio State men won 193.5-106.5.
Claire Jansen kicked off the day setting a new program record in the 50 backstroke with a 23.87 in her leadoff leg of the 200 medley relay. Pitt then earned their first win with a statement in the women's 100-yard backstroke, sweeping the podium. Jansen captured first place with a winning time of 52.18, followed closely by Mary Clarke in second at 53.00 and Parker Del Balso in third with a 53.64.
The Panthers continued its backstroke success in the women's 200-yard backstroke, earning a 1–2 finish. Jansen again led the field, touching first in 1:54.51, while Kimmy Shannon secured second place with a time of 1:55.31.
Sydney Gring added another individual victory in the 100 butterfly, finishing with a time of 52.11 while Allie Witdoeckt grabbed second with a finish of 53.84.
Julian Koch delivered Pitt men's first individual swimming victory, winning the men's 200 freestyle in 1:33.79 and later taking the 100 freestyle in 42.74. Mason Leach followed, taking first in the 100 backstroke with a time of 46.91. Eli Hobson wrapped up the men's individual victories touching first with a time of 53.29 in the 100 breaststroke.
Additional podium finishes came in the butterfly events, as Gring placed second in the women's 200-yard butterfly, finishing in 1:57.01 while Alan Vergine secured a second-place finish on the men's side with a 1:45.10 time. The Panthers went 2–3 in the men's 100-yard butterfly behind Koch, who clocked 46.51, and Evan Witte, who followed in 47.19.
The Panther men rounded out the day with a win on the 400 free relay, where Koch, James Allison, Witte and Merlin Belmon produced a time of 2:51.45.
Notable Finishes
• Women's 200 yard medley relay: 2nd Jansen, Messina, Gring, Clarke (1:37.07)
• Men's 200 yard medley relay: 2nd Nuca, Short, Vergine, Fabian (1:27.70)
• Men's 200 yard freestyle: 1st Julian Koch (1:33.79)
• Women's 100 yard backstroke: 1st Claire Jansen (52.18), 2nd Mary Clarke (53.00), 3rd Parker Del Balso (53.64)
• Men's 100 yard backstroke: 1st Mason Leach (46.91)
• Men's 100 yard breaststroke: 1st Eli Hobson (53.29)
• Women's 200 yard butterfly: 2nd Sydney Gring (1:57.01)
• Men's 200 yard butterfly: 2nd Alan Vergine (1:44.27)
• Men's 50 yard freestyle: 2nd Evan Witte (19.87)
• Men's 100 yard freestyle: 1st Julian Koch (42.74)
• Women's 200 yard backstroke: 1st Claire Jansen (1:54.51), 2nd Kimmy Shannon (1:55.31)
• Men's 200 yard breaststroke: 2nd Nick Short (1:59.46)
• Women's 100 yard butterfly: 1st Sydney Gring (52.11), 2nd Allie Witdoeckt (53.84)
• Men's 100 yard butterfly: 2nd Julian Koch (46.51), 3rd Evan Witte (47.19)
• Women's 200 yard IM: 2nd Kimmy Shannon (1:58.25)
• Women's 400 yard freestyle relay: 2nd Kudlac, Clarke, Gring, Jansen (3:15.16)
• Men's 400 yard freestyle relay: 1st Koch, Allison, Witte, Belmon (2:51.45)
Up Next
The Panthers will return to action with diving competing in the Georgia Tech Team Event Invite on Feb.13, while the swimming program returns to Columbus for the Ohio State Winter Invite. Pitt will travel to the ACC Championships Feb.15-21.
Players Mentioned
