If the start to Tia VanLandeghem’s college career is anything like that of her sister Chantal, then the Pitt Panthers could be in for a great four years.
The younger VanLandeghem, a Canadian, has verbally committed to Pitt. She hails from the Manta Swim Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
“I chose to attend Pitt because I felt I connected really well with the coaching staff and the team,” Tia VanLandeghem said. “I also liked the fact that they have many international student athletes who have had a ton of success at Pitt. I believe this coaching staff can help me achieve my collegiate goals.”
Tia VanLandeghem is also a sprint freestyler. In long course, she’s been 57.2/59.1 in the 50 and 100 meter freestyles, and is even better in short course, where she’s been 26.0 and 57.3. Those short course times convert to 23.4 and 51.3, respectively.
As the Panthers move into a new conference this year, the ACC, the Panthers have a very young sprint group, but VanLandeghem should immediately join both of the shorter free relays, and could very well swim the fly leg on the 200 medley relay as well.
As tia alluded to in her comment, she won’t be the only international on the roster. The men’s team has 1 Canadian (Kourosh Ahani), while the women’s program has 7 Canadians, including two from Winnipeg and Tia’s Manta Swim Club (Cam Dixon, a junior, and Renee Deschenes, a senior).
Chantal VanLandeghem, who is a sophomore at Georgia this year, was the co-NCAA Champion in the 50 free as a freshman last season.
You forgot to mention that Tia is 6’4″…talented swimmer and outstanding young lady.