Swimming: 800 Free Relay Claims BIG EAST Title
February 15, 2012 10:37 PM | General
PITTSBURGH, Pa.- The 2010 BIG EAST Swimming and Diving Championships began with the swimming portion Wednesday night, at Trees Pool in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The meet got off to an exciting start with the women’s 800 free relay of Rachael Burnett, Kata Fodor, Mandie Nugent and Danielle Smith claiming the BIG EAST Champion title, while shattering the BIG EAST record with a time of 7:06.87. Burnett opened the race for the Mountaineers securing a strong lead followed by Fodor. Nugent and Smith were able to secure the win by nearly an entire pool length.
“It has been a focus for those ladies and the one relay that has been constant all year,” says coach Vic Riggs. “I told them before the relay began this was our relay. They had done the work and it was theirs to take. It was one of those swims you wish for your athletes. I knew they had it in them and it was a pleasure to watch all their hard work pay off.
The men’s 800 free relay of Hugh Simmonds, Jake Querciagrossa, Eric Johnson and Daeton Davenport finished in fourth with a time of 6:35.40. Louisville took first setting a new meet and pool record in 6:22.70.
Smith, Nugent and Burnett returned for the women’s 200 medley relay along with Jenelle Zee, finishing second with a time of 1:39.99. Louisville placed first setting a new pool record in 1:38.68. The women received their NCAA “B” cut time for the event.
The men’s 200 medley relay of Bryce Bohman, Jack Greenhalgh, Taylor Camp and Tim Squires took fourth place in 1:28.77. It was a battle in the end for Squires but he was out touched by Notre Dame’s Christopher Johnson. Louisville would again claim first with a time of 1:25.97. However, the men received their NCAA “B” cut.
“This was the best night for our relays,” says Riggs. “The women set a new school record with their performance in the 200 medley relay. Having our men post the third fastest men’s 200 medley time was a great end to the evening. Tim posted his second fastest 50 split. Bryce led with a really good 50 back and Jack did what we wanted. It was a solid effort and we knew if all four pieces came together we would do really well.”
The day concluded with the women in fifth-place with 88 points behind Rutgers (101 points), Connecticut (108 points), Notre Dame (135 points) and Louisville (144 points). The men are tied in third place with Louisville with 110 points. Notre Dame sits in first with 197 points, followed by Pitt in second with 132 points.
The championships will resume tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., followed by finals at 6 p.m.
The meet got off to an exciting start with the women’s 800 free relay of Rachael Burnett, Kata Fodor, Mandie Nugent and Danielle Smith claiming the BIG EAST Champion title, while shattering the BIG EAST record with a time of 7:06.87. Burnett opened the race for the Mountaineers securing a strong lead followed by Fodor. Nugent and Smith were able to secure the win by nearly an entire pool length.
“It has been a focus for those ladies and the one relay that has been constant all year,” says coach Vic Riggs. “I told them before the relay began this was our relay. They had done the work and it was theirs to take. It was one of those swims you wish for your athletes. I knew they had it in them and it was a pleasure to watch all their hard work pay off.
The men’s 800 free relay of Hugh Simmonds, Jake Querciagrossa, Eric Johnson and Daeton Davenport finished in fourth with a time of 6:35.40. Louisville took first setting a new meet and pool record in 6:22.70.
Smith, Nugent and Burnett returned for the women’s 200 medley relay along with Jenelle Zee, finishing second with a time of 1:39.99. Louisville placed first setting a new pool record in 1:38.68. The women received their NCAA “B” cut time for the event.
The men’s 200 medley relay of Bryce Bohman, Jack Greenhalgh, Taylor Camp and Tim Squires took fourth place in 1:28.77. It was a battle in the end for Squires but he was out touched by Notre Dame’s Christopher Johnson. Louisville would again claim first with a time of 1:25.97. However, the men received their NCAA “B” cut.
“This was the best night for our relays,” says Riggs. “The women set a new school record with their performance in the 200 medley relay. Having our men post the third fastest men’s 200 medley time was a great end to the evening. Tim posted his second fastest 50 split. Bryce led with a really good 50 back and Jack did what we wanted. It was a solid effort and we knew if all four pieces came together we would do really well.”
The day concluded with the women in fifth-place with 88 points behind Rutgers (101 points), Connecticut (108 points), Notre Dame (135 points) and Louisville (144 points). The men are tied in third place with Louisville with 110 points. Notre Dame sits in first with 197 points, followed by Pitt in second with 132 points.
The championships will resume tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., followed by finals at 6 p.m.
Gold-Blue Spring Festival Fan Recap
Sunday, April 19
John Neider | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Zac Alley | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 18
Saturday, April 18
