March 27, 2014
NCAA Championships | Austin, Texas. • Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center | |
AUSTIN, Texas; March 27, 2014 - The Penn State men's swimming team totaled four All-America honorable mention recipients on the opening evening of the NCAA Championships with a 13th place finish in the 400 medley relay finals.
"We had a solid day," said head coach Tim Murphy. "We got some points on the board and both relays made it back for the finals, which is big. The guys are in a good frame of mind, so we will be ready to go tomorrow."
The team of Nate Savoy (Reading, Pa.), Andrew Schuehler (Camden, N.J.), Shane Ryan (Havertown, Pa.) and John Hauser (Pottstown, Pa.) broke the Penn State program record in the morning prelims with a time of 3:07.51 and then turned in a mark of 3:08.40 in the final to finish 13th and score eight points for the team, its first of the championships.
"The guys were excited about the chance to compete in the championships and it showed," said Murphy. "They swam with a lot of energy and I think they got us off to a good start. It was a nice way to start the meet."
The Blue and White 200 freestyle relay team of Ryan, Hauser, Savoy and Shane Austin (Kennett Square, Pa.) raced to a time of 1:18.04 in the morning prelims for the 15th fastest time to reach the "B" final. Unfortunately for Penn State, the team was disqualified in the evening final, due to an early takeoff. The Nittany Lions joined Texas A&M, Alabama and USC who were eliminated by a disqualification in the race.
"The relay getting DQ'd tonight, it happens," said Murphy. "Everyone was trying to swim fast. It's just part of the meet."
Ryan began his busy individual event schedule at the championships on Thursday morning with the 50 freestyle. The sophomore touched the wall in 19.44 and fell agonizingly short of qualifying in the top 16 and reaching the final. Ryan's time placed him 17th and just 0.02 seconds behind the 16th place finisher.
Another Penn State swimmer who competed in the day one preliminary round was Nick Ankosko (East Brunswick, N.J.), who competed in the 500 freestyle. The junior finished with a mark of 4:22.48 to place 42nd in the competition.
"We are excited about the races we are competing in tomorrow," said Murphy. "We have two relays and Nate and Shane in the 100 backstroke."
The Nittany Lions return to the water tomorrow, as Ryan and Savoy highlights the day for Penn State with the 100 backstroke. Ryan enters the event with the top time in the country and Savoy also has a top-eight time heading into the event. Day two's preliminary session is slated to start at noon with the finals to follow at 8:00 p.m. ET.