March 18, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - Sophomore speedster Merritt Krawczyk continued to be the story on the second day of the NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving National Championships as she earned All-American honors in her second event of the meet while helping Penn State round out another strong showing at the Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.
Guided by Krawczyk's performance, Penn State concluded the day in 31st with nine points. Cal leads the way with 295 points, while Georgia and USC round out the top-three.
Returning to her native Lone Star State, Krawczyk looked more than at home for the second straight day at the UT Swimming Center. Following an outstanding effort in the 200-IM on Thursday evening, she was just as strong in the 100-breaststroke on Friday. Entering the competition seeded 33rd in the nation, she blew away expectations and posted a personal-best time of 1:00.56 during the preliminaries before finishing 14th in the finals with a 1:00.94 mark.
For her efforts, Krawczyk earned honorable mention All-American honors for the second straight day. She is now the first Penn State underclassman to earn the national recognition in a pair of individual events since Kelly Nelson accomplished the feat in 2005.
Earlier in the day, Krawczyk was also a key member of Penn State's excellent 200-medley relay unit. After teaming with Paige Whitmire, Mackenzie Powers, and Samantha Palser, she helped guide the foursome to a 17th place showing. Together, they posted a time of 1:39.62, which just barely missed the cut for the `B' final.
With little time to rest, Powers returned to the pool to participate in the 100-fly. The first-year standout eventually completed the course in 53.83, which placed her 38th in the field and sixth among freshmen. Teammate Alexandra Young also competed in the event and finished 53rd with a time of 55.26.
Penn State was also well represented in the 400-individual medley as a pair of Lions competed in the discipline. Chelsea Weedman led the way as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year finished 21st with a time of 4:11.34, which marked a personal best. Amy Modglin also placed 33rd after touching the wall in 4:15.97.
The Nittany Lions placed three competitors in the 100-backstroke as well with Whitmire, Palser, and Powers all representing PSU in the event. Whitmire led the way and finished 45th with a time of 54.49. Palser came in 53rd after completing the event in 55.46, while Powers followed two spots behind in 56.53.
In other events, Erin Thomas competed in the 200-free and finished 57th in the field after completing the course in 1:49.13. Later, she teamed with Modglin, Weedman, and Young to place 17th in the 800-freestyle relay with a time of 7:20.76.
The national meet will conclude tomorrow with the final seven events. Champions will be determined in platform diving as well as the 1,650-free, 200-back, 100-free, 200-breaststroke, 200-fly, and 400-freestyle relay.