Pitt the place for Alland

As late as the start of this summer, Stevenson senior swimmer Tori Alland had given almost no thought to the University of Pittsburgh.

But on a trip to visit a number of schools, including West Virginia, her mom suggested they make a detour to the Pittsburgh campus.

"It wasn't even on my list, but I fell in love with it," Alland said.

Soon, it was at the top of her list.

Alland recently signed an NCAA Letter of Intent to swim for Pittsburgh.

"Tori is a phenomenal middle-distance athlete who is really coming into her own," Panthers coach Chuck Knoles said in a news release.

Alland put her name in the Stevenson record books this past season. She set a school record in the 500-yard freestyle (5:00.65) and tied the record of Martha VanLieshout (Maryland) in the 100 freestyle (52.8). As a junior, Alland also was part of the Patriots' school-record-setting 200- and 400-freestyle relays.

"She'll be able to come in and score for them right away at Big East meets," said Stevenson coach Karl Milkereit.

Alland had state-cut times in two events all four years. At the state meet in November, Alland placed ninth in the 200-freestyle and fifth in the 500-freestyle.

"It was a lot of fun to experience big meets all four years," Alland said. "I enjoyed my time (on some) great teams. I wouldn't have had it any other way."

Milkereit was impressed with the way Alland kept getting better.

"She was able to continually progress," he said. "Each year, she elevated her expectations and intensity of training."

The longer races that are part of college swimming should suit Alland especially well.

"I've been swimming longer events since I was 10," she said. "They allow me to get more into the race."