The Duquesne University swimming team kicked off its 2025–26 season this past Saturday at the Pitt Relays. Competing against the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon, the team made a strong showing.
In the opening 200-yard medley relay, sophomores Sierra Snow and Jess Burns teamed up with freshmen Kira Schrecongost and Lucy Backus. They took fourth place with a time of 1:47.07. Another team of sophomore Ashley Freel, junior Sydney Severini, and sophomores Rachel Howard and Kaitlyn Connors came in fifth at 1:48.05.
The 500-yard freestyle relay was another highlight, with two Duquesne sets finishing in the top five. Backus, Connors, junior Lexi Sundgren, and Snow finished fourth at 4:39.33. Senior Katie Simpson, Howard, junior Julia Sobun, and Freel followed closely behind in fifth place with a time of 4:44.49.
In the 3×100 butterfly relay, Howard, Schrecongost, and Freel secured a fourth-place finish in 2:54.20. The Dukes also shone in the 3×100 breaststroke relay, winning a bronze medal with Burns, Surrena Luna, and Severini clocking in at 3:20.10. A second team, featuring Schrecongost, Snow, and Freel, placed fifth at 3:29.86. The day wrapped up with Snow, freshman Norah Kotnik, and Freel finishing fifth in the 3×100 backstroke relay, with a time of 2:51.11.
Head coach David Sheets shared his thoughts on the meet: “This was a good chance to test our resilience. Most swimmers participated in multiple relays, so racing back-to-back through seven events was challenging. We wanted them to give their all, no matter how they felt. I believe they rose to the occasion. It was also great to see our freshmen compete outside of practice. Overall, we’re in a good spot and will continue to work on building our team environment.”
Looking ahead, the Duquesne team will compete next at the Richmond Duals on October 17 and 18 in Hampton, Virginia.
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In swimming, engaging in competitive events can be a great confidence booster. A recent survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations found that over 60% of young swimmers felt more self-assured after competition. This speaks volumes about the impact of such events on young athletes. The challenges faced during competitions not only test their physical limits but also help build character and camaraderie.
