Swim teams top finishers, but not winners

The men’s diving team and the women’s relays were both top finishers in their meets this… The men’s diving team and the women’s relays were both top finishers in their meets this weekend, but it was not enough. The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were defeated by Texas A’M and Notre Dame, respectively.

Notre Dame women 184, Pitt 116

The winners of seven consecutive Big East Championships, the No. 19 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-1) were able to overcome two relay victories and several season-best times by Pitt.

Pitt (2-1, 0-1 Big East) claimed an early lead of 13-4 by placing first in the 200-medley relay. Andrea Shoust, Ryan Redman, Kelli Tielking and Jenny Livingstone clocked in with a season-best time of 1:44.83. The Fighting Irish did not touch the wall until 1:46.70.

However, The Fighting Irish took the three top spots in the 1000-meter freestyle, giving them a 20-16 lead. Kate Butrie, who finished fourth in the event, recorded the best season time of 10:17.11.

Senior Carolyne Savini and freshman Kathy Siuda were able to regain the lead for Pitt in the 200 freestyle, with Savini finishing first and Siuda third. Both swimmers recorded season-best times, earning the Panthers 13 points, placing them ahead 29-26.

Notre Dame reclaimed the lead again in the 100 backstroke by topping Shoust’s best time by only 0.30 seconds.

The Panthers were able to rally for their last lead in the 100-meter breaststroke by finishing 1-2 in the event. Redman and Cynthia Snyder both recorded their best times of the season and gave Pitt a 49-44 edge.

The Fighting Irish dominated the remainder of the meet up until the final event. Livingstone, Kelly Redcay, Kristin Brown and Savini teamed up to give the Panthers their second relay victory. It was another season-best time for Pitt, with the team clocking in at 1:36.63

The women’s diving team also had moderate success with two second-place finishes.

Texas A’M men 140.5, Pitt 100.5

The No. 15 Aggies came from behind to top the No. 17 Panthers (2-1, 1-0 Big East) despite Pitt’s four first-place finishes, two of which came from the diving board.

Sophomore Dennis Nemtsanov accumulated 285.68 points on the 1-meter board, beating the opposing Aggie diver by 4.2 points. Senior Matthew Schwartz was also able to claim victory, this time on the 3-meter board with 298.8 points. After the diving events, Pitt led 25.5-10.5.

Texas A’M defeated the Panthers in the first event, but Eric Limkemann emerged with a first-place finish in the 1000-meter freestyle. Limkemann put a margin of eight seconds between him and his opposition while achieving his season-best time of 9:21.00.

Pitt suffered many more losses, having only one more first-place finish, by senior Randy Gertenbach in the 200 breaststroke. Gertenbach defeated his competition by seven seconds. He also recorded his best time of the season, touching in at 2:01.60.

The Panthers’ next meet is Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. versus No. 22 Washington at Trees Pool.