Jan. 29, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the second time in his collegiate career, Penn State's Sean Grier (Hummelstown, Pa.) has been tabbed as the Big Ten Swimmer of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. After helping lead the Nittany Lions (4-2) to a 188-112 victory over Navy this weekend, Grier earns the first Swimmer of the Week title for Penn State this season. The junior previously earned weekly honors on Feb. 7, 2012, becoming the first Penn State Swimmer of the Week since Oct. 29, 2009.
Grier shined in the 100 fly against the Midshipmen, breaking a 10-year old McCoy Natatorium record with a time of 47.98 seconds. The record had previously been held by Eugene Botes (48.04). Additionally, the Hummelstown, Pa. native broke his third pool record of the season as a member of the winning 200 medley relay squad, posting a time of 1:28.20 to top Penn State's previous record time of 1:29.38. Earlier in the season, Grier set a new McCoy Natatorium record in the 100 back, swimming a time of 48.00 flat to demolish a 13-year old record on Nov. 10, 2012 against Villanova.
Along with two pool records, Grier also posted two NCAA B Cut performances in the 100 fly and 100 back (48.32). He has exceeded NCAA standards eight times this season, qualifying for the 200 medley relay, the 400 medley relay, the 100 fly twice and the 100 back four times. The All-American remains undefeated in his two individual events, as well.
Grier swims the fly leg for his medley relay squads, posting an individual time of 20.65 seconds in the 200 medley relay against Navy. He also helped his 400 free relay team to a second place finish, narrowly missing first place by .16 seconds, with a time of 3:02.66. He swam his individual leg in 44.94 seconds.
Grier and the rest of the Nittany Lions return home on Saturday, Feb. 2 to take on Towson for Senior Day. Competition will begin at 1 p.m. at the McCoy Natatorium.
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