Jan. 31, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The women's swimming and diving team won six events en route to a 196-132 victory over Big Ten foe Ohio State in the second day of a dual match in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday. The men's team, which was competing in a quad meet, defeated Northwestern, 193.5-138.5, while falling to Ohio State, 258-76, and Michigan, 245-84.
Karie Haglund, who won an individual and relay event in the first day of competition, won two individual races and a relay during Saturday's slate of competition. Haglund was victorious in the 500-yard freestyle, touching the wall at 4:52.70, and in the 100 breaststroke, coming two seconds faster than second-place Caitlin Meehan at 1:03.14. Kailey Morris placed second in the 500 free at 4:53.53.
Haglund teamed up with Michelle Myers, Sarah Baker and Lindsey DeForrest to claim the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:43.16. Just behind them in third place finished the team of Daphne Skelos, Meehan, Alex Young and Sam Palser, who timed in at 1:47.01. After seizing two first-place marks in Friday's events, Myers clocked in with a second place tally (55.85) in the 100 backstroke, followed by Lauren Smart in third (58.98) and Skelos in fourth (59.34).
"We competed well on both sides," head coach John Hargis said. "On the women's side, we had much better day than yesterday. We showed a lot more excitement today which is a good telltale sign for the next two weeks."
DeForrest and Baker earned their second relay win of the day when, along with Kelly Nelson and Palser, they tallied a first-place nod in the 200 freestyle relay at 1:33.98.
Nelson tabbed first in the 100 butterfly, coming in at 2:01.24. Young and Smart took second and third, respectively, in the event.
On the three-meter springboards, Courtney Adlam scored a 282.30 which was good enough for second place. Megan Marco placed third.
Katelyn O'Brien also won an individual event for the Nittany Lions, swimming first in the 200 IM at 2:01.24.
Penn State eyed five of the top six spots in the 100 free, led by Baker who was second with a time of 51.23.
On the men's side, Brian Alden clocked in with two third-place finishes. In the 100 freestyle, he touched the wall at 45.41 ahead of Jason Goldner, who was .16 seconds behind in fourth place. The relay team of Alden, Goldner, Basil Kaaki and Vincent Reydams also positioned themselves in third in the 200 free relay at 1:21.43.
"The men's team was at a slight disadvantage going up against fresh Ohio State and Michigan swimmers," Hargis said. "We've got three weeks to get some life into us." Also in third place was Patrick Schirk in the 100 backstroke with a time of 49.93. Dan Fimbianti finished behind him in sixth at 51.26.
Kaaki took fourth in the 100 butterfly, .10 seconds ahead of the Tim Williams in fourth.