WVU Swim and Dive Gears Up for Tri-Meet Showdown Against Pitt and George Washington!

by: Charles Montgomery, WVU Athletics

Posted: Jan 10, 2025 / 04:01 PM EST

Updated: Jan 10, 2025 / 04:01 PM EST

The swimming and diving squads for men and women at West Virginia University are set to reignite the Backyard Brawl against the Pitt Panthers and will also compete against George Washington in a tri-meet at Trees Pool in Pittsburgh at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, streamed on ACC Network Extra.

This marks West Virginia’s initial competition since the WVU Invitational held from Nov. 20-22. The men’s swimming and diving squad secured second place while the women’s team achieved fourth place.

Last season, both the men’s and women’s teams faced losses against Pitt in Morgantown.

Redshirt senior Danny Berlitz has been an impressive presence throughout the season for the Mountaineers, claiming victory in two individual events at the WVU Invite.

In his latest performance, Berlitz triumphed in the 400-yard individual medley at the United States Open Championships held in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Sophomores Delaney Cox and Maddie Smutny have taken the lead for the women’s swimming and diving squad this season, with each recording two top 10 performances at the WVU Invite.

Cox recorded the sixth fastest time in the program’s history for the 100-yard backstroke (54.33) and the 200-yard backstroke (1:57.50) during the WVU Invitational.

Smutny achieved the fifth fastest time in the 200-yard butterfly (1:59.23) and the ninth fastest time while winning the 500-yard freestyle (4:51.02) at the WVU Invite.

Within the diving arena, consistent performances have been delivered by sophomore Owen Recker. He has already achieved NCAA Zone qualifying scores on the 1-meter, 3-meter, and platform events.

Junior Sarah Krusinski and sophomore Abigail Sullivan have clinched zone qualifying scores for the women’s team, with Krusinski qualifying for the 1-meter, 3-meter, and platform events, while Sullivan has qualified for the platform.