Hokie ClubCHRISTIANSBURG, Va. -- The Virginia Tech swimming and diving teams defeated Penn State on Saturday at Christiansburg Aquatic Center to kick off the 2016-17 home slate. The men topped the Nittany Lions, 175-117, while the women H2Okies won, 174-121.
“Great day for the H2Okies. Our senior leadership is outstanding and it shows throughout our team,” said head swimming and diving coach Ned Skinner. “We competed hard and the energy on the pool deck was outstanding. Swimmers like Kelly Henry and Nathan Pawlowicz are emerging as superstars and so many newcomers are contributing. We hope to build on this meet as we head into a two day quad meet next weekend.”
Henry took first in the 100 and 200 breast and was also swam the second leg a 200 medley relay unit that placed first with a 1:42.94. Pawlowicz earned nine points in convincing fashion in the 1000 free where he turned in a 9:29.87, over 20 seconds faster than the second-place finisher.
The Hokies got the day started with victories in both the men and women 200 medley relays. Senior Jess Hespeler continued her hot start to the season with wins in the 200, 500 free and 1000 free.
Posting NCAA B-cut times in the women’s 100 back were senior Fiona Donnely and junior Klaudia Nazieblo. Nazieblo took first in the event with a 54.55 while Donnelly finished second with a 54.84.
Tech also took the top two spots in the 100 breast with senior Brandon Fiala taking first with a B-cut time of 55.20 and junior Justin Edwards placing second with a 55.73. Junior Norbert Szabo earned 27 points with first place finishes in the 200 free, and 100 and 200 fly. His 1:39.06 in the 200 free was nearly one second off of his personal best. Senior Robert Owen took first with a 1:48.48 in the 200 back while sophomore Ian Ho continues to excel in the sprint events as her registered the top time in the 50 free with a 20.40.
The H2Okie divers swept the one meter events with sophomore Ashlynn Peters posting a first place score of 315.45 and sophomore Ben Schiesl registering a 333.67. Peters later went on to also take the three meter event where junior Ashley Buchter, making her first appearance after sitting out last season with an injury, placed second with a 268.88.
Rounding out the women’s one meter was senior Leah Piemonte with a 243.40 and freshman Miranda Eberle, who earned three points for Tech with a score of 238.50.
Many newcomers impressed in their first action of the campaign including Colin Murphy who finished second in the 1000 free with a 9:40.98 and Hassler Carroll who picked up two points with a 1:53.42 in the 200 fly.
Tech returns to action on Friday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. for a meet with Duke, West Virginia and William and Mary at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. The second day of action takes place on Oct. 22 at 11 a.m.