It was just last month that Stacie Safritt turned in one of the most incredible high school performances that Trees Pool has ever seen.

She now hopes that it's a sign of things to come at the University of Pittsburgh venue.

The Seneca Valley senior signed a letter of intent Tuesday morning to continue her academic and athletic careers at Pitt.

"I recently visited there," said Safritt, who will turn 18 in July. "I liked the campus and the coaches. I couldn't find anything that I didn't like about it, and I just felt like I fit in there. That was really important to me."

It wasn't long ago that swimming in college was nowhere near the top of Safritt's priority list.

In fact, up until she won four WPIAL gold medals at Trees Pool in early March in the 50 and 100 freestyles, 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays, she was still planning on attending a much smaller school.

"My heart was set on Grove City (College)," said Safritt. "And swimming was something that I might have done on the side."

Then came the PIAA Class AAA championships at Bucknell University in mid-March, when Safritt finished third in both the 50 and 100 freestyles and helped the Raiders win a state title in the 200 medley relay.

Pitt swimming coach Chuck Knoles was there to see it all.

"We had actually noticed Stacie a while back, but she wasn't even thinking of coming to Pitt," said Knoles. "It was at the state championships that (Seneca Valley) coach Tom Donati approached me and urged me to reconsider Stacie for our program. He said she was thinking about coming to a bigger school to swim."

"I finally realized that it would be foolish to give up something that God has given me," said Safritt.

Donati, who was an assistant coach for Pitt's men's team in the mid-1990s, knows what is ahead for Safritt.

"She's going to find out that in college, there's going to be more than one Stacie Safritt in the pool," he said. "At Division I, there's going to be a lot of swimmers with her level of talent.

"But I think (Pitt) is a good fit for her," Donati added. "It's going to be a challenge for her and she will be expected to perform, but Stacie will work hard."

Safritt will join a Pitt program that is coming off two consecutive winning seasons: 10-3 this season and 9-4 in 2003-04.

With her recent success in sprint events, Knoles isn't about to rock the boat.

"She will absolutely be swimming the sprint events (50, 100 free) for us," he said. "And she will be able to help us out in the relays, too.

"It's not rare for a freshman to come in and have an impact," added Knoles. "It's not like football where you first have to gain 35 pounds. I'm hoping she can be as successful as possible at the NCAA level. Right now, the sky's the limit," Knoles added.

As one career began unofficially Tuesday when she inked her name on the letter of intent, another has become a collection of timeless memories.

Safritt will graduate from Seneca Valley with six WPIAL titles, including two relay crowns (200 medley, 200 freestyle) from her junior campaign.

"The state title this season will be the memory that comes to mind the most," said Safritt. "And the four WPIAL titles this year, they would be a close second."

"What she and the other seniors accomplished this year, as a coach, it's something I'll never forget," said Donati.

Safritt plans to take on a dual-major in business and marketing.