Pitt Women Hit A-Cut in 200 Medley Relay to Qualify for NCAAs for the First Time Since 2006

2024 Texas Hall of Fame Invite

The Pitt Panthers saw a significant milestone on the second night of the Texas Hall of Fame Invite as the women’s team hit an NCAA A-cut in the 200 medley relay, giving the team their first NCAA relay in 18 years.

The team of Claire Jansen, Cecilia Viberg, Sophie Yendell, and Avery Kudlac combined for a time of 1:35.81, dipping under the NCAA A-cut of 1:36.24 by almost a half second en route to a 4th place finish in the event. In the process, the team also shattered the school record of 1:36.68 from last season by Jansen, Tatum Detwiler,  Yendell, and Kate Fuhrmann.

Splits:

  • Backstroke (Jansen) – 24.25
  • Breaststroke (Viberg) – 26.89
  • Butterfly (Yendell) – 22.52
  • Freestyle (Kudlac) – 22.15

The addition of Viberg was a huge advantage for Pitt over last season, as she produced a breaststroke split of 26.89, the 2nd fastest in the field. She was also over a half-second faster than the 27.38 Jessica Strong produced on the school record-breaking relay last season.

Going back through the NCAA archives, the last time that Pitt qualified a relay for the NCAA Championships was back in 2006. At the 2006 NCAA Championships, Pitt contested both the 200 free and 400 free relay, finishing 20th and 21st, respectively.

The NCAA cut not only marks an important point for the program as a whole, but is also a significant milestone for third-year head coach Chase Kreitler. Under Kreitler, the Pitt men’s team has already seen significant success, with the women’s team now sharing in that success.  In 2023, the Pitt men earned their All-American honors since 2002, finishing 16th in the 400 medley relay at the NCAA Championships. Kreitler, who previously served as an assistant coach at both Cal and Texas, now has established success on both sides of the field during his short time at Pitt.

 

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Sw4mm3r
2 months ago

Pitt men 16th place finish was at 2023 NCAA championship and was 400 medley relay not 200

Lance Jansen Pitt Swim Dad
2 months ago

Swim Swam be better! Why attach a negative comment to a wonderful accomplishment. H2P!!!

Admin
Reply to  Lance Jansen Pitt Swim Dad
1 month ago

I’m not sure what comment you’re talking about, but your coach texted me excitedly about breaking the streak so I hope it’s not “pointing out that it had been 18 years”. That would be a little over-sensitive.

About Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller

Nicole has been with SwimSwam since April 2020, as both a reporter and social media contributor. Prior to joining the SwimSwam platform, Nicole also managed a successful Instagram platform, amassing over 20,000 followers. Currently, Nicole is pursuing her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After competing for the swim …

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