University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
ACC Championships
Koch Takes Bronze as Panthers Post 15 Best Times on Historic Day 5
2/19/2026 11:02:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
ATLANTA, Ga. — Julian Koch broke the Pitt school record in the men's 100 butterfly twice on Thursday, first in the morning prelims and then again in the evening finals, where he touched the wall in 44.56 to earn a third-place finish on day six of the 2026 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships at McAuley Aquatic Center.
Koch became the fourth man in program history to medal at the ACC Championships in swimming and the fifth overall ACC men's swimming medal for Pitt. His performance marked the first individual men's swimming medal since the ACC conference expansion.
The Panthers combined for 15 best times on the day, including 11 in the morning prelims session.
Kimmy Shannon opened the finals session with a school record of her own. Competing in the B Final of the women's 400 IM, Shannon touched in 4:04.82, lowering her own program record and placing ninth overall in the event.
Alex Bauer competed in the B Final of the men's 400 IM, finishing 16th overall in 3:46.31 for his own lifetime best time in the event.
Sydney Gring made finals in the women's 100 butterfly, finishing 11th overall in 51.45 in the B Final. Freshman Alan Vergine posted a personal best of 45.66 to finish 20th overall in the men's 100 butterfly event.
In the men's 200 freestyle, James Allison posted a personal best time of 1:33.45 to finish 13th overall, and Merlin Belmon added a time of 1:35.03 to finish 23rd. Avery Kudlac finished 14th in the women's 200 freestyle, touching in 1:45.37.
Up Next
The Panthers return to the pool Friday for Day 6 of the ACC Championships, with prelims beginning at 9:30 a.m. Finals are set to begin at 5:31 p.m.
Day 6 Schedule
Prelims – Women's 200 Fly | 9:30 AM
Prelims – Men's 200 Fly | 9:45 AM
Prelims – Women's 100 Back | 9:59 AM
Prelims – Men's 100 Back | 10:11 AM
Prelims – Women's 100 Breast | 10:20 AM
Prelims – Men's 100 Breast | 10:29 AM
Finals – Women's 200 Fly | 5:31 PM
Finals – Men's 200 Fly | 5:47 PM
Finals – Women's 100 Back | 6:02 PM
Finals – Men's 100 Back | 6:16 PM
Finals – Women's 100 Breast | 6:29 PM
Finals – Men's 100 Breast | 6:42 PM
Finals – Women's 400 Medley Relay | 7:09 PM
Finals – Men's 400 Medley Relay | 7:27 PM
ACC Team Standings – Through Day 5
Women
1. Virginia – 786
2. Stanford – 662
3. California – 621
4. Louisville – 507
5. North Carolina State – 404.5
6. Pittsburgh – 354.5
7. North Carolina – 261.5
8. Miami (FL) – 248
9. Florida State – 223
10. Notre Dame – 220
11. Duke – 215.5
12. VA Tech – 208
13. Georgia Tech – 204
14. SMU – 155
15. Boston College – 48
Men
1. California – 622
2. Stanford – 596
3. Louisville – 521
4. North Carolina State – 505
5. VA Tech – 369.5
6. Florida State – 350.5
7. Notre Dame – 320
8. North Carolina – 299.5
9. Virginia – 281.5
10. SMU – 275
11. Pittsburgh – 244
12. Georgia Tech – 236
13. Miami (FL) – 162
14. Boston College – 86
15. Duke – 68
Players Mentioned
