March 20, 2008

PITTSBURGH--The Pitt women's swimming and diving team named juniors Stacie Safritt and Ruth Seiffert as captains for the 2008-09 season. Both swimmers led the team with their performances in the pool this year and are active participants in the Panther Leadership Academy.

"These two women have been pivotal players for the Panthers in their first three years here at Pitt," Head Coach Chuck Knoles stated. "They are tremendous role models for their teammates and are outstanding not only in the pool with school records, but in the classroom as well. Both women consistently maintain two of the highest GPA's on the team. We look forward to helping them move our team forward to our goals of returning to the top of the Big East Conference and the national scene."

Safritt (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) recorded many multi-event victories during the year. She had first-place finishes in the 100 and 200 free against St. Bonaventure and Virginia, and 50 and 100 free win in meets against Syracuse, Cincinnati and Notre Dame.

She was an integral part of the 400 free relay team that placed first against West Virginia, helping the Panthers to the victory.

In the Big East Championships, Safritt posted a NCAA `B' qualifying time in the preliminaries of the 200 free. In the finals of that event, she tied for seventh with a time of 1:51.55. At the ECAC Championships, Safritt recorded first-place finishes in the 50 and 100 free with times of 23.77 and 51.25, respectively.

Seiffert (Boothwyn, Pa./Garnet Valley) enjoyed a tremendous season as well, taking first place in the 200 IM and 200 breast against Cincinnati early in the season. She was a key component in the 400 medley relay, which finished first against Notre Dame.

Additionally, Seiffert earned a first-place finish in the 500 free against Clarion, Denison and Duquesne, and was named "Performer of the Meet" against West Virginia.

In the Big East Championships Seiffert finished ninth overall in the 200 breast with a time of 2:18.78, and won the 100 breast at 1:04.98 during the ECAC Championships for the best time of the day.

The team had a perfect 5-0 Big East record during the season, with an especially thrilling 150-148 victory over then No. 23 Notre Dame. The Panthers finished fourth overall in the Big East Championships.