Oct. 26, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the second time in her career, sophomore standout Amy Modglin has been honored as the Big Ten Women's Swimmer of the Week after an incredible showing in Penn State's home opener on Saturday against Virginia Tech.
During the meet, Modglin entered four events and came away with three titles. She opened the competition with a first-place showing in the 200-freestyle before adding victories in the 200-backstroke and 200-individual medley. She rounded out the day with a second-place finish in the 500-freestyle.
Her most dominating performance came in the 200-backstroke. During the event, she clocked in at a staggering 1:58.82. Her time not only outpaced her next closest competitor by a full six seconds, but it also eclipsed the NCAA `B' standard. It marked the second straight week in which she topped the provisional qualifying time for the national meet.
Earlier in the competition, she beat the field in the 200-freestyle with a time of 1:49.71. Later, after finishing the 500-freestyle in 4:54.80, she capped off the meet perfectly with another overwhelming performance in the 200-IM. During the event, she posted a time of 2:03.60, which was over three seconds faster than any other competitor.
After earning Honorable Mention All-American honors last season, Modglin has had a wonderful start to her second year in Happy Valley. While leading the Nittany Lions to a pristine 2-0 record, she has entered seven events and captured six victories already this year. In addition to her showing against Virginia Tech, she also won the 200-backstroke, 400-IM, and 400-medley relay against West Virginia in the season opener.
Modglin was previously selected as the Big Ten Women's Swimmer of the Week last season on January 19. She was also named the National Collegiate Swimmer of the Week for her performance in the Pittsburgh Quad Meet last year.
Along with Modglin, the Big Ten named Purdue's Erin Mertz as the Women's Diver of the Week.
Modglin and the Nittany Lions will return to the pool next month when the squad treks to Charlottesville, Virginia for a tri-meet with Virginia and Indiana on November 19-20.