Nov. 9, 2013
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Penn State women's swimming and diving team turned in a solid performance in the second and final day of competition in Charlottesville, Va., posting five top three finishes. The Lions' efforts proved not enough, however, as they fell to No. 8 Texas, 242-111, and No. 11 Virginia, 226-127.
Junior Carolyn Fittin (Sea Girt, N.J.) was the top performer of the day for the Blue and White as she collected their only first place finish of the weekend. Fittin claimed the top time in the 50 freestyle, touching the wall in 23.23. She also turned in a top-three time in the 100 butterfly, placing third in 54.92, and was a member of the second place 400 freestyle relay squad that finished in 3:21.65.
Joining Fittin on the 400 freestyle relay team were sophomore Alyson Ackman (Montreal, Quebec), freshman Megan Wujciak (Livington, N.J.) and sophomore Kaitlin Jones (Midlothian, Va.).
Ackman also performed well individually, claiming second place in the 200 freestyle. The sophomore posted a NCAA `B' qualifying time, touching the wall in 1:47.94.
Megan Siverling (Chester Springs, Pa.) turned in the final top-three finish for the Nittany Lions, placing third in the 1000 freestyle in a career-best 9:59.85.
A pair of top four finishes highlighted the day for Mackenzie Powers (Sycamore, Ill.). The senior swam to a fourth place finish in the 100 back in 55.51 before claiming fourth in the 100 butterfly with a time of 55.01.
Jones, Katelyn Sowinski (Severna Park, Pa.), Melissa Rodriguez (Chihuahua, Mexico) and Chelsea Weedman (Poway, Calif.) recorded top five finishes in each of their individual events as well. Jones placed fifth in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:49.39, Sowinski touched the wall in 10:05.16 in the 1000 freestyle, Rodriguez turned in a time of 2:19.91 in the 200 breaststroke and Weedman finished the 400 IM in 4:23.63.
The Nittany Lions will have nearly a month off before returning to the pool for the Texas Invitational. The three day event is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Dec. 5 and will conclude on Saturday, Dec. 7.
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