Jan. 17, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The men's and women's swimming teams had another strong showing in the second round of competition at the Maryland quad meet sweeping the competition. The women added one more first place finish to Friday's results taking seven of 11 events while the men claimed five medalist honors.
"We did a little better as the meet progressed," said head coach John Hargis. "We started out better today and that's what we like to see."
Caitlin Meehan had the top performance of the weekend earning her first NCAA "B" time of the year in the 200 breaststroke en route to taking first place in the event with a time of 2:14.65. Kaitlin O'Brien wasn't far behind with a second place finish in 2:16.52.
"Caitlin had a great meet," said Hargis. "We were kind of kidding her saying that she should have her family at every meet. She really came out of her shell this weekend, and as a senior she is set up to finish her career at Penn State nicely."
Sarah Baker touched the wall first in the 200 free with a time of 1:50.14 while O'Brien clocked in at second in 1:50.42. Kailey Morris, Karie Haglund and Alex Young went one, two and three in the 200 fly, while Morris and Haglund took the top two spots in the 500 free. Kelly Nelson took a convincing victory in the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.90, over two and a half seconds ahead of the field.
The women's relay teams has another exemplary performace as Michelle Myers, Haglund, Nelson and Lindsey DeForrest cruised to first place in the 400 medley (3:45.01). Myers, DeForrest, Nelson and Baker teamed up for the 400 free relay winning the event in 3:25.76.
In the diving well Courtney Adlam finished second in the three-meter springboard with a score of 254.20 while Megan Marco came in seventh with 205.95 points.
Jon Cochrane got things started on the men's side with a first place finish in the 200 free in 1:40.68 while Ben Ryan checked in at third in 1:41.68. Defending NCAA Champion Patrick Schirk and Dan Fimbianti claimed first and second in the 200 back with times of 1:48.49 and 1:51.01 respectively. School record holder Tim Williams added a solid performance in the 200 fly touching the wall first in 1:49.94, while David Kraft convincingly won the 500 free in 4:35.85.
The 400 medley relay team of Schirk, Mitch Scherer, Williams and Basil Kaaki outswam the competition to claim first place in a time of 3:21.88.
Justin Bonner claimed third place in the one-meter springboard with a score of 252.55 while Josh Bonner came in sixth scoring 240.35
The women's team will take to the water at McCoy Natatorium Jan. 24 for the final home meet against Rutgers. The seven seniors on the team will be honored prior to the 1 p.m. start. The men will be off next week before facing Ohio State in Columbus January 30-31.
Point Breakdown:
Women
Penn State 224 - Maryland 126
Penn State 248 - Pitt 104
Penn State 276 - Villanova 76
Men
Penn State 225 - Maryland 115
Penn State 244 - Pitt 108