Nov. 3, 2014
By Meghan Miceli, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State swimming and diving teams swapped their traditional blue and white uniforms for pink caps and t-shirts in their meet against Villanova Friday afternoon. The Nittany Lions held their annual "pink meet" to support breast cancer awareness.
For senior captain Caitlyn Karr, the pink meet is more than just a change in shirt color.
"It means a lot to some team members, myself included, who have lost family members to breast cancer," Karr explained. "It really makes you dig deep down for that extra push to do well."
The Nittany Lions defeated the Wildcats on both the men's and women's sides. The men's team improved to a 4-1 season; while the women's squad remained undefeated in dual meets and hold a 7-0 record.
Sophomore Anna Farnsworth believes part of the women's team success comes from the tremendous team chemistry this season.
"You know that you always have someone behind you when you race," Farnsworth explained. "You're racing for a reason. It's not about yourself, with how close we are this season, we all want to swim well for the team."
Farnsworth won her first collegiate event against the Wildcats, posting an in-season best time in the 100 backstroke.
"Of course it was exciting," Farnsworth said. "But I went into it very relaxed. I raced the same people I compete with in practice all the time. It's always great to win, and it was definitely a step forward."
Senior captain Caitlyn Karr also ended the meet victorious with wins in the 100 breaststroke and 500 freestyle.
"This meet was only my second time swimming the 500 this season," Karr explained. "I swam it last week and my goal was to build off of how I swam against West Virginia and improve. I think I did that, and I'm pretty happy with where I'm at right now."
Looking ahead, the Nittany Lions toughest competition is yet to come. They host Michigan and Virginia for a two-day tri-meet this weekend.
"Staying focused is going to be key," Farnsworth said. "Our past victories have given us confidence but we need to stay steady and stay strong. If we keep practicing how we've been practicing and focus, it should be a great meet."
"We haven't swam them in a dual meet recently," Karr added. "They definitely have some really fast swimmers. But it's like any other meet. We're going to be tired and broken down but we need to push through it. It's going to be a great test, they're top notch teams."
Virginia is currently undefeated with a 1-0 record, while Michigan is 4-1 with a loss to Texas. The meet is set to begin Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. in McCoy Natatorium.