Panthers fall to Virginia, defeat Virginia Tech

The 18th ranked men’s swimming and diving team continued its dominance in the Big East… The 18th ranked men’s swimming and diving team continued its dominance in the Big East conference this weekend.

The Panthers’ dual team split a pair of matches over the weekend. Despite a loss by the men’s and women’s teams to Virginia on Saturday, Pitt charged back with conference victories Sunday afternoon.

Virginia 140, Pitt 98 (men)

The men weren’t successful Saturday as they fell to Virginia, 140-98. The Cavaliers won 11 of 13 events, improving to 7-1 on the season.

“I think our kids were overwhelmed,” head coach Chuck Knoles said. “Virginia has a very good reputation.”

Pitt’s two victories came from sprinter Mike Grube and freshman diver Dennis Nemtsanov.

Nemtsanov started the match with a 325.28 point-victory on the 1-meter board. Junior Matthew Schwartz finished second with 286.5 points.

Grube defeated his opponent by 0.42 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle.

“[Grube] had a phenomenal weekend,” Knoles said.

Darryl Washington, Grube, Stephen Kilroy and Eric Bugby finished second in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Finishing in 3 minutes and 3.13 seconds, it was the team’s second-fastest time.

Virginia 141, Pitt 97 (women)

Pitt women fell to No. 13 Virginia Saturday afternoon, 141-97. The Cavaliers once again won 11 of the 13 events.

Freshman Colleen Kristobak started the match off by winning the 3-meter board diving event.

The only other Panther victory came in the 50-yard freestyle when Jenny Livingstone touched the wall in 24.38 seconds.

Following the diving events, Carolyne Savini, Ryan Redman, Kelli Tielking and Livingstone pulled a second place finish in the 400-medley relay.

Only 1.74 seconds kept freshman Nicole Ebert from winning the 1,000-yard freestyle in a hard-fought battle. Her time of 10 minutes, 4.83 seconds places her among the best in the nation.

“Nicole really stepped it up,” Knoles said.

Pitt 132, Virginia Tech 111 (men)

The 132-111 win over the Hokies is the men’s 20th straight Big East win, leaving them unbeaten for four consecutive seasons in the conference.

After the loss to the No. 9 Cavaliers, Pitt (8-4 overall, 4-0 in the conference) rebounded by winning eight of 13 individual events.

Schwartz set off the action Sunday by receiving 295.42 points on the 1-meter diving board.

The Cavaliers gained ground in the 200-yard medley relay, but fell father back after the one-two finish by Eric Limkemann and Hannes Kohnke in the 1,000-yard freestyle. Limkemann later won the 500-yard freestyle.

Grube swam to a comeback victory in the 200-yard freestyle after falling behind in the first 50 yards. Grube won his second event on the afternoon with a 100-yard freestyle victory.

Pitt, needing a second place finish to win the match, pulled a first place victory. The 200-yard freestyle team of Washington, Tommy Bird, Adam Webber, and Grube concluded the weekend with a win.

Pitt 132.5, Virginia Tech 110.5 (women)

The women’s swimming and diving team topped Big East foe Virginia Tech 132.5-110.5 Sunday. Pitt improved to 6-6 on the season and 3-1 in the conference.

Kelly Redcay, Redman, Tielking and Livingstone won the first swimming event in the 200-yard medley relay.

Ebert took first place in the 1,000-yard freestyle while teammates Emily Colley and Kate Butrie finished second and third, respectively.

In the 200-yard individual medley, Savini beat out teammate Jennifer Koch by 0.93 seconds.

Koch fell second to another Panther in the 100-yard butterfly as Tielking touched the wall in first place with 56.13 seconds.

Redman and Cynthia Snyder finished one and two in the 100-yard breaststroke to seal the conference victory.

The Panthers return to action Friday as they host Penn State at Trees Hall at 4 p.m.