PITTSBURGH -- The Virginia Tech swimming and diving program currently lead Pitt and trail just behind Notre Dame after day one of ACC tri-meet action on Friday afternoon.
The No. 9 H2Okie men lead the Panthers, 121-46, but are down three to Notre Dame, 85-82. The women H2Okies are ahead of host Pitt, 117.5-49.5, and only trail the Irish by five, 86-81.
PERFORMANCES OF THE DAY
Senior Jess Hespeler continued her dominance in the freestyle events as she set career-bests in the 1000 free with a time of 9:49.20 and a 50.04 in the 100 free. Finishing behind Hespeler in the event was freshman Jenna Beattie, who turned in 10:06.60 in her first taste of ACC competition.
Sophomore Ashlynn Peters got the day started off right with a convincing 306.80 score to take the women’s three-meter. On the men’s side of diving, junior Thomas Shinholser and sophomores Mauro Castro-Silva and Ben Schiesl placed second and third, respectively, in the one-meter.
The H2Okies swept the 400 IM with junior Klaudia Nazieblo finishing a time of 4:19.05 and senior Robert Owen taking first with a 3:52.09.
OTHER NOTABLE SWIMS
Sophomore Norbert Szabo placed first in 1000 free with an impressive time of 9:16.88 while senior Brandon Fiala led wire-to-wire and took the top time in the 100 breast with a 54.74.
Tech went second and third in the 200 back with Owen posting the second-fastest time of 1:45.60 and Wisconsin transfer Jake Lamparella turning in a 1:47.68. Nazieblo won her second race of the day with a 54.19 in the 100 fly.
In the relays, Tech saw two second place performances in the men’s and women’s 200 free. Junior Adriana Grabski registered a split of 22.99 in the third leg to pull the unit closer but it finished with a respectable time of 1:33.20.
The H2Okies will be back in action tomorrow at 10 a.m. to conclude its tri-meet with the Panthers and Irish. The meet will be streamed live on the WatchESPN platform.