PITTSBURGH, Pa.-- The Saint Peter's women's swimming team begins its 2025 campaign on the road this weekend, traveling to Pittsburgh to take on Duquesne on Saturday, November 8, at 11:00 a.m. The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs since 2009.
Saint Peter's enters the season led by a strong core of sophomores that produced multiple all-time program records during their rookie debuts.
Distance specialist
Maddie McKinney returns as one of the Peacocks' top swimmers, coming off a breakout season that included wins in the 1000-yard freestyle, 500 freestyle, and 200 backstroke.
Teammate
Paige Austin-Burrows enters her second year already cemented in the program record book, owning three school records and ranking in the top 10 in eight additional events.
Fellow sophomore
Gwendolyn Mendez also made her mark last season, posting the third-fastest time in program history in the 100-yard IM and saw her name five more times in the top-ten across different breaststroke and IM events.
Another returner,
Eloise Schirtzinger, emerged as one of the top distance swimmers on the team during her freshman campaign, earning six program top-10 times across numerous freestyle and IM events, highlighted by a top-six program finish in the 1650-yard freestyle.
ABOUT THE DUKES
Duquesne enters the weekend with a strong early-season momentum, having competed in four meets so far and winning back-to-back contests at Richmond's season-opening dual match-up. The Dukes collected 26 medals over the course of the meet and edged the Spiders 151-148 to secure the win.
Sierra Snow led the way with three gold medals, sweeping the 100 and 200-yard backstroke events before closing the meet with a win in the 500-yard freestyle.
Ashley Freel added a victory in the 100-yard butterfly (55.92) and placed second in the 200 IM (2:07.60), while Lucy Backus touched first in the 50-yard freestyle (23.76) and earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors after collecting eight podium finishes in her collegiate debut.
Duquesne is led by 25th-year head coach David Sheets.
ALL TIME RECORD
Saint Peter's is 0-5 against Duquesne, with them winning the last three matchups by scores of 110 - 63, 110 - 80, and 173 - 49.
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