SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Virginia Tech swimming & diving teams lead after the first session of a dual meet against Notre Dame and Pittsburgh on Friday night. The 12th-ranked H2Okie men won all but one of the individual events, and the women’s squad had top performances from their relay teams.
On the women’s side, Tech leads Notre Dame, 102-82, and is ahead of Pittsburgh, 125.50-58.50. For the men, the H2Okies are ahead of Notre Dame, 102-82, and lead Pittsburgh, 139-45.
“I thought we had a real strong first day,” head coach Ned Skinner said. “I like the racing mentality that we are showing. I also am impressed by our team’s desire to race to the finish. Hopefully, a good night’s rest will get us ready for a strong day two.”
Women’s meet
The H2Okies began the meet with a win in the 200 free relay where Margaret Parcell, Jessica Hespeler, Caroline Buscaglia and Holly Harper hit the wall in 1:34.71.
Fiona Donnelly continued the Tech success in the next race, taking the 400 IM in 4:21.60 with Laura Schwartz just behind her finishing third. In the 100 butterfly event, Klaudia Nazieblo and Maggie Gruber finished second and third, respectively.
Tech finished strong in the closing relays, taking second and fourth in the 200 medley relay and going one, two in the 800 free relay. The winning foursome of Donnelly, Buscaglia, Gabrielle Bishop and Emily Ryczek finished the race with a time of 7:31.46.
Men’s meet
Tech started off the competition taking second and third in the 200 free relay before Robert Owen picked up a win in the 400 IM, finishing in 3:58.54. After that, Morgan Latimer finished first in the 100 butterfly in 48.70. Two spots behind him, Owen Burns finished third.
Collin Higgins kept the winning-streak going in the 200 backstroke after finishing with an NCAA B-cut time of 1:46.21 ahead of second-place finisher Owen. In the 100 free, Owen Burns picked up another Tech win with a time of 44.43 and Lucas Bureau took second.
Jake Ores earned another Tech victory in the 1650 free with a time of 15:47.64 and Latimer, Bureau, Adam Stacklin and Burns won the 800 free relay in 6:26.23 to close out the night.
The only men’s diving competition for the evening was the 3-meter event, where Thomas Shinholser won with a score of 364.20 and Jared Butts finished third.
The meet continues tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m. with live stats available here and live video available here.