NCAA Div. I: Virginia Sweeps Pitt -- February 1, 2003

PITTSBURGH, Pa., Feb. 1. THE nationally-ranked Virginia men's and women's swimming and diving teams both won nine events in convincing victories over Pittsburgh Saturday at Trees Pool.

The ninth-ranked Cavalier men registered a 140-98 victory over the 19th-ranked Panthers, while the 13th-ranked UVa women won 141-97.

The Cavalier men, who improved to 7-1 with the victory, won nine of 13 events before exhibitioning the final two. Pittsburgh falls to 7-4 with the loss.

First-year Fran Crippen (Conshohocken, Pa./Germantown Academy) was the only UVa men's swimmer to win a pair of events as he was victorious in the 500 and 1000 freestyles. His first victory came in the 1000 free in a time of 9:07.51 and he also led a top-three UVa sweep in the 500 free (4:26.46). Crippen was also second in the 200 free (1:40.98). Third-year Ian Prichard (Ventura, Calif./Buena) won the 200 free in 1:39.68 and was second to Crippen in the 500 free (4:31.23).

Third-year Luke Wagner (Englewood, Colo./Regis Jesuit) and second-year Michael Raab (Rockville, Md./Walter Johnson) won the 200 backstroke and 200 butterfly, respectively. Wagner touched in 1:47.48 in the 200 back, while Raab won the 200 fly in 1:48.01. Wagner and Raab also swam the first and third legs of Virginia's winning 400 medley relay (3:20.73). Fourth-year Jon Baird (Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell Academy) and third-year Adam Kerpelman (Lutherville, Md./St. Paul's School) also swam on the winning medley relay.

Third-year Luke Anderson (Charlottesville, Va./Bolles School) took the top spot in the 50 free in 20.59 and he was also second in the 100 free (45.18).

Fourth-year Guy Yimsomruay (Bangkok, Thailand/
Germantown Academy) was victorious in the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:51.26. He also recorded the top time in the 200 breaststroke (2:03.77).

Third-year Pete Amstutz (St. Joseph, Mich./St. Joseph) rounded out Virginia's individual event winners as he scored 329.10 points in winning the three-meter diving competition.

The 13th-ranked Virginia women improved to 6-1 on the season with the 141-97 win over the Panthers (5-6). UVa won nine of 13 events before exhibitioning the final two.

Second-year Kate Wrenshall (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bolles School) won a pair of events for the Cavaliers. She won the 1000 free with a time of 10:04.83 and touched first in the 200 butterfly in 2:03.82.

The Cavaliers got off to a quick start by winning the 400 medley relay. The foursome of first-years Brielle White (Philadelphia, Pa./Springside School) and Elaine Bennett (Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman), second-year Andrea Georoff (Winter Park, Fla./Trinity Prep) and third-year Carlie Dykehouse (Gainesville, Fla./Trinity Prep) turned in a time of 3:49.15. White also won the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:04.43, while Georoff finished first in the 100 free (52.01). Bennett posted the top time in the 200 breaststroke (2:20.98).

Fourth-year Mirjana Bosevska (Skopje, Macedonia/
Trinity Prep) led a top-three UVa sweep in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:52.34, while third-year Amy Baly (Atlanta, Ga./Marist School) won the 200 individual medley (2:05.53).

First-year Rachael Burke (Bethesda, Md./Good Counsel) turned a time of 4:54.35 in winning the 500 free, while fourth-year Alison Sharp (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock) won the one-meter diving competition with 239.03 points.

The Cavaliers close out their dual meet season on Saturday, February 8 when they host ACC rival Maryland at 1:00 p.m. at the UVa Aquatic and Fitness Center.