Irish slip by Panthers’ swimming and diving squads

Despite the Pitt women’s swimming and diving team setting two new school records, both the men… Despite the Pitt women’s swimming and diving team setting two new school records, both the men and the women dropped their home openers to Notre Dame at Trees Pool on Friday.

Although the women’s team put up a great effort, the Irish came out on top 138-105. The loss is the Panthers’ first of the season, taking their record to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in Big East action.

Kristin Brown was undoubtedly the top female performer for the Panthers, and had a day that coach Chuck Knoles called “phenomenal.” The junior finished with a time of 1:49.30 in the 200-meter freestyle, eclipsing the school record she set herself last year at 1:49.43.

Brown was also a part of the women’s 400-meter free relay team that also made history. She, along with Stacie Safritt, Kelly Redcay and Jordan Wallace, won the event with a time of 3:24.30 for the Panthers’ second school record of the day.

Pitt’s other top swimmers in the women’s swimming events included Amy Miteff and Andrea Shoust, both taking second place in the 200-meter fly and the 200-meter backstroke, respectively. Wallace also won the 50-meter free, while Redcay took second.

Kristin Caiazzo paced the women’s diving team, leading the way in the 1-meter diving event with a top finish of 228.60. Caiazzo also won the 3-meter event with a score of 260.25.

Afterward, Knoles was optimistic despite the loss.

“We had some great swims,” he said. “I’m very proud of the kids. They’re doing exactly what I need them to do, and we just came up a little short tonight.”

The men’s meet was also an exciting one, with the win up for grabs going into the last event. Notre Dame, however, won the 400 free to earn the win and edge the Panthers by one point, 122-121.

The Panthers did, however, lead early with a win in the opening race. Thomas Bird, Warren Barnes, Jason Miller and Darryl Washington won the 400-medley relay to give Pitt the early lead.

The Panthers had two multi-winners on the day, as Bird recorded two more victories in both the 50 and 100-meter frees. Jason Miller was also victorious in two more events, winning the 200 IM and the 200 fly.

The diving squad also did well, running the table in the 1-meter events. Jeremy Stultz (313.20) led the Panthers with Dennis Nemtsanov and Alex Volovetski not far behind. Later, Nemtsanov, Volovetski and Adam Natishyn all finished in the top four of the 3-meter diving event.

The dramatic loss also drops the men’s record to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big East.

“We can improve on everything,” said Knoles. “We can improve on our starts, our turns, our stamina, technique-everything. This is a nice little start.”

Both the men’s and the women’s teams are back at Trees Pool again this Friday, hosting Oakland University. Diving events will begin at 4 p.m.