Aug. 18, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - Penn State swimming & diving head coach John Hargis and women's swimmer Amy Modglin are set to represent the Nittany Lions and the United States in the World University Games this Friday in Shenzhen, China. Hargis is an assistant coach for the United States.
"This is a great opportunity for Amy," said Hargis. "It will give her a chance to compete at the highest level. She will learn a lot being around a worldwide event like this. I hope this will define her as an athlete as we move forward as a program."
Modglin was added to the team last November and is slated to compete in the 200 backstroke, her specialty. She will compete in that event this Friday. Modglin earned All-American honors in the event at the NCAA Championships in March, breaking Penn State's record once again, finishing 16th overall and clocking a time of 1:53.66 in the preliminaries.
"Anytime you can represent a country, it's a true honor," said Hargis. "It's a once in a lifetime experience. I was able to do it as an athlete. Now as a coach, it will be a very exciting opportunity to work with motivated athletes, like Amy, that represent our country."
The last Nittany Lion swimmer to compete in the University Games was Patrick Schirk, who took part in the 2009 edition of the competition. Coincidentally, Modglin will compete in the same event Schirk did two years ago when PSU's only NCAA champion earned silver in the 200 backstroke despite a torn hand tendon. Unfortunately, Schirk's medley relay squad was DQ'd and was unable to place.
New Arizona head coach Eric Hansen will head up the United State women's team that will compete in Southeast China. Hansen was Wisconsin's head coach for 12 seasons and returned to his alma mater just weeks ago when hall of fame head coach Frank Busch left to be USA Swimming's National Team Director.
Penn State kicks off its season with its annual Blue-White Intrasquad event on Oct. 7. That will be the forerunner of the first dual meet of the season, as West Virginia on Oct. 22 will visit Happy Valley for an 11 a.m. matchup on the men's and women's side. For complete coverage of all the Nittany Lion swimming & diving this season, visit GoPSUsports.com.