Jan. 13, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State swimming & diving departs for a two-day meet at Maryland's Eppley Center beginning Friday afternoon. The Nittany Lions will compete against both Terrapin and Pittsburgh squads, while Villanova's women's team will also take part.
The Penn State women enter the meet after a strong performance during their winter training. Ilana Zeises (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) earned Big Ten Diver of the Week honors after placing second in the 3-meter board against Wyoming and Arkansas during a competition in Indianapolis, while Amy Modglin (Fort Meyers, Fla.) won two events during the swimming team's meet against North Carolina in Naples, Fla.
Overall, the Nittany Lions enter the competition at 2-2. They also placed fourth during the prestigious Georgia Invitational prior to the winter break. Villanova comes in with a perfect 4-0 mark, while Pittsburgh and Maryland enter with identical 5-1 records.
Penn State holds a commanding advantage against all three opponents in their all-time series. The Nittany Lions are a pristine 15-0 against the Terrapins and have defeated the Wildcats in 16 of 17 all-time meetings. Not to be outdone, the squad also stands 21-9 against the Panthers.
Last season, the four teams faced off in a quad meet in Pittsburgh with Penn State grabbing the top spot. The Lions defeated Maryland, 185-168, Pittsburgh, 194-159, and Villanova, 276-77. Modglin led the way with three individual titles, including a Trees Pool record time of 1:57.49 in the 200-backstroke.
On the men's side, a youthful Penn State contingent looks for its first dual meet of the season. Bolstered by the Big Ten Diver of the Week winner from Jan. 3, Alex Marchinski (Shillington, Pa.), Penn State looks for its seventh win in the series against Maryland and 16th against Pittsburgh. Coming into the meet Maryland is 1-5 while Pittsburgh is 2-4.
Last year, the Nittany Lions defeated Maryland in impressive fashion, 236-198, but dropped a 197-156 decision to Pittsburgh. Mitch Scherer (Pottstown, Pa.) and Luke Bushman (Green Bay, Wis.) captured victories in the 200 breaststroke and 200 butterfly, respectively in the second day in the tri-meet split after posting wins in the 100 breast (Scherer) and 400 IM (Bushman). Sophomore standout Brian Alden (Lansdale, Pa.) also notched a first-day 100 freestyle win to help the Nittany Lion cause.
For complete recaps following each day's action, visit GoPSUsports.com.
For complete coverage of all the Nittany Lion swimming & diving this season, visit GoPSUsports.com.
--NITTANY LIONS--