Swimming: WVU Set to Host Pitt
January 06, 2006 02:50 PM | General
January 6, 2005
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University swimming and diving teams return to action on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. to host BIG EAST rival Pitt at the WVU Natatorium.
"Both teams (Pitt) have a chance to win BIG EAST this year and this should be a good test for our team," head coach Sergio Lopez said.
The Mountaineer men return to action for the first time since finishing second at the Terrapin Cup Invitational Nov. 18-20, 2005. The women notched a victory against Marshall on Dec. 17, 2005. Both teams traveled to Spain for training over the semester break and were able to swim in exhibition competition.
"The meet was a very good experience for our kids since there were a good number of Olympians and world class swimmers," Lopez said. "It was the first time that most of our swimmers swam in short course meters as well."
Sophomore Pablo Marmolejo won the 100 meter fly, followed by freshman Andrew Langenfeld who took second. Sophomore Nick Delic claimed first in the 100 meter IM, with Marmolejo taking second. Senior Chris Hagedorn took first in the 50 meter fly.
Sophomore Tina Gabrillo placed first in two events, winning the 100 and 200 meter IM. Freshman Rachel Fedyk continues to make her mark in her first season as she posted a win in the 50 meter free. Freshman Natalie Lautzenheiser won the 50 meter fly, with junior Anne Tierney grabbing second. Freshman Taylor Stallings won the 100 meter back with sophomore Bonnie Sutton coming in second.
A second meet during the 10-day trip was forced to be canceled due to problems with the pool.
West Virginia continues to swim fast as the men have posted 18 top 50 times in the nation. Delic leads the way as he ranks second in the 100 breast with a time of 53.82, also a school record that was set at the Terrapin Cup Invitational. He also holds the second fastest time in the 100 fly with a time of 47.85. Marmolejo swam the fifth fastest time in the country in the 200 fly with a time of 1:47.70 and Hagedorn ranks ninth in the 50 free in a time of 20.15.
The women continue to improve and are using their youthfulness to their advantage. Fedyk won the 50 free at the Terrapin Cup Invitational in a time of 23.73. Freshmen Lindsey Largo and Stallings won two events apiece against Marshall, taking first in the 1000 and 500 free and the 100 and 200 back, respectively.
Both teams fell to the Panthers last season. The men lost 160.5-82.5, while the women fell 180-62.
