Swimming & Diving Set for Quad-Meet at Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH — The University of Miami swimming & diving team will be traveling to the Trees Pool on the University of Pittsburgh campus for a quad-meet Friday.
The Hurricanes will be facing the host Panthers, Big Ten opponent Michigan State and James Madison University of the Colonial Athletic Association.
The meet is slated to begin at 4 p.m., and head swimming coach Andy Kershaw said the Hurricanes are looking forward to the challenge.
Though Miami has taken part in several fall meets – including the All-Florida Invitational in September and the SMU Classic in mid-October – Friday’s visit to Pittsburgh will mark the first true team meet of the fall.
“We’re really, really excited about this opportunity,” Kershaw said. “This is the first time we’ll be competing together, as one big family, with all of the swimmers and all of the divers. This is the first time we’ll have swimming and diving fully together, so we’re really looking forward to that.”
The Hurricanes are coming off an impressive showing at the SMU Classic and are looking to build on that momentum.
Veteran Wally Layland was named ACC Co-Diver of the Week on Oct. 16 for a dominant showing at the SMU Classic, while a number of other Hurricanes delivered standout performances.
Freshmen Alaina Skellett led the way in the lanes, breaking a school record in the 200-yard backstroke with an NCAA “B” cut time of 1:56.59.
Other “B” cut times were posted by freshman Annie Kyriakidis (200 breaststroke, 2:14.45) and sophomore Manon Viguier (100 free, 49.85), while several other Hurricanes impressed against a loaded field of competition.
Miami’s full swimming contingent will be competing for the first time since a Sept. 30 meet at FIU and Kershaw said he’s looking forward to the team being able to showcase its ability to execute race strategy, which has been the focal point of training since returning from the SMU Classic on Oct. 14.
“We’re getting a chance to travel to an ACC opponent and then also get more great competition from some other conferences,” he said. “Michigan State and James Madison will both provide a great opportunity for our team.”
Following its trip to Pittsburgh, Miami will host its first home meet in an exhibition with Princeton on Nov. 3.
For more information on the Hurricanes swimming & diving team, follow @CanesSwimDive on Twitter and Instagram.
