Feb. 23, 2002

UNIONDALE, N.Y. - The University of Pittsburgh men and the University of Notre Dame women each claimed their sixth consecutive team title at the 2002 Big East Swimming and Diving Championships at the Nassau County Aquatics Center on February 21-23. Through the three days of competition, 11 meet records fell, including eight of the 10 relays.

The Villanova women finished in sixth place with 359 points and the men placed eleventh as the event drew to a close after three days of competition.

Villanova junior Maddy Crippen completed the competition with (Conshohocken, Pa./ Germantown Academy) three Big East titles. On Saturday, Crippen set a Big East Championship record in the 1650 yard freestyle, swimming a time of 16:15.07. Friday she won her second Big East title of the meet by taking the 400 yard individual medley in a time of 4:13.87. On Thursday night, she took the 500 yard freestyle title (4:47.45).

With the three 2002 Big East titles, Crippen now owns nine career Big East individual championships and is a two-time Big East Conference Most Outstanding Female Swimmer.