University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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they have for years, as Pitt diving had been a dominant Eastern power since Lewis began as swim coach. This added pressure had underclassman Panthers turning in times that shocked the East. By the time Easterns concluded. Pitt had qualified 8 swimmers in 9 of Nationals 16 swimming events, 6 of which were underclassmen. Pitt's two seniors, nationalist Rick Carter and Sandy Pidgeon, finished standout careers at Pitt. Carter was entered in five events and Pidgeon in three. No Panther gained All-American status, but it was a fast National field with the fastest qualifying times the NCAA Division I had ever seen. It was Carter's fourth trip to nationals and Pidgcon's third. The loss of these two seniors and senior butterflier and individual medley-swimmer Greg Pclton. will be big and will give Lewis holes to be filled. Fortunately. Pitt's returning six national- ists are young and versatile. Junior Jerry Zalcski, Pitt’s powerful 200 yard and sprint frecstyler. will come back, to captain the 1982-83 squad. Zaleski qualified in two national events in 1982. Sophomore teammates Geoff Emore, a butterflier. and J. D. VlcCrillis a sprint frecstyler arc also among Pitt’s largest squad of returning Eastern Nationalists. Coach Lewis was fortunate to have three freshmen make National qualifications ... Ed Bergan, Ed LaNouc, and Greg Murphy all qualified in more than one event. Bergan, in just one year had destroyed every backstroke record Pitt ever had. as he was awarded the 1982 Eastern's Most Outstanding Swimmer Award. Stu Swanson. Pitt backstroker who graduated in 1981. had all his records beaten, but not his All-American status, as Bergan developed stomach problems in Milwalkec. at Nationals. LaNouc was a needed addition as Carter graduates and LaNouc is now 33

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MEN'S SWIMMING (continued) The Pitt Men’s Swimming and diving team had only one-half the usual number of meets for the 1981-82 season, but their five meets pitted the Panthers against some of the best, in Northeastern United States. It became especially tough in January, when after only one seasonal meet in November, Pitt’s 1981 Eastern Diving Champion. Mike Minik, was forced to quit due to academic problems. Diving coach Julian Krug had already lost shawn McLane, a sure bet to give Minik competition at Easterns, due to a knee injury. First year diver, Rex Nord-heimer became Pitt's lone diver, and the swim team under head coach Fred Lewis, was facing more pressure than 32

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MEN’S SWIMMING (continued) right there to fill his spot. LaNoue is the fastest freshman freestyler the East saw this year. Teammate Greg Murphy is tremendous at long distances. finishing second at Easterns in the 20 lap event. Murphy swam in Pitt National 800 yard freestyle relay. With good recruiting in both swimming and diving, both Pitt coaches look forward to another year of dominating the East ...! 34