Nov. 6, 2014
| PENN STATE VS. VIRGINIA/MICHIGAN | |
Fri., Nov. 7 - 6 p.m. ET | |
| McCoy Natatorium | University Park, Pa. | |
| MEET DAY LINKS |
TV: ESPN2 -->Swimming and Diving BlogFollow Us: @PennStateSWIM | Facebook | InstagramGameday Central
Top Times: Penn State Women | Penn State Men
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Nov. 6, 2014 - The Penn State swimming and diving teams host their second-straight meet, welcoming Virginia and Big Ten foe Michigan to McCoy Natatorium on Nov. 7-8. Friday's competition starts at 6 p.m., while Saturday's action begins at 11 a.m.
The women's team has been perfect in dual meets this season, going a perfect 7-0. The CSCAA NCAA Division I women's swimming and diving rankings placed Penn State No. 20 in the most recent poll on Nov. 6. This marks the team's best start to a season since the 2007-08 when the squad went 11-0. Individually, senior Megan Siverling (Chester Springs, Pa.) has led the women's team with seven victories in individual events so far this season.
Ranked No. 18, the men's team is 4-1 on the season with its lone loss coming to Virginia Tech. The Nittany Lions' strong start to the season is due in part to a total team effort. Thirteen different swimmers have won events during the season and eight relay teams have earned gold. Leading the pack is senior Nate Savoy (Reading, Pa.), who has finished first five times while earning victories in the 100 free, 200 free, 200 back and 200 IM.
Promotions
- First 200 fans receive a free t-shirt
- Schedule posters will be handed out while supplies last
The Opponent
The Penn State women's team is 13-16 all-time against the Cavaliers and 4-8 all-time against the Wolverines. Last season, Penn State fell at Virginia, 226-127. The Nittany Lions last faced Michigan in dual action on Jan. 29, 2011, picking up a 123-120 victory on the road.
Virginia's women's swimming and diving program will compete in its first meet of the season. The Cavaliers are coming off a 2014 ACC Championship. Michigan comes in with a record of 4-1. The squad is 3-0 in the Big Ten, defeating Iowa, Nebraska and No. 20 Indiana. The Wolverines also downed No. 9 Louisville. The only loss came against Texas.
The Penn State men's team is 0-8 all-time against the Wolverines, last meeting in 2012. Against the Cavaliers, the Nittany Lions hold an 11-20 series mark. Penn State won the teams' last meeting, besting Virginia 191-162 in 2013.
The Virginia men opened their season with a 183-117 win over Navy, capturing 10 event titles and breaking two school marks on the 1-meter and 3-meter boards. No. 1 Michigan holds a 4-0 record on the year and boasts 10 swimmers or relay teams ranked top-20 nationally.
Last Time Out
The women's swimming and diving team most recently defeated Villanova at home, 156-101, on Oct. 31. Siverling and classmate Caitlyn Karr (Reading, Pa.) each picked up multiple individual victories in the meet. Siverling touched the wall in 10:02.52 to top the field in the 1000-yard freestyle before winning the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:49.08. Karr touched the wall first in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:04.76) and also took first place in the 500-yard freestyle with a mark of 4:57.35.
Last week, the men's team swept the podium in five events with eight Nittany Lions earning the top spot en route to a 150-101 win over Villanova (0-4) on Oct. 31. The Blue and White (4-1) earned the top three spots in the 200 back, 50 free, 200 fly, 100 breast and 100 back. Conall Loughlin (1,000 free, 9:41.82), Bob Bantley (200 free, 1:42.86), Joseph Ahlberg (200 breast, 2:11.72) and Zach Kantz (50 free, 21.27) won the first events of their collegiate careers in the meet.
Next Up
The Nittany Lions have nearly a month break before taking part in the Georgia Fall Invitational from Dec. 5-7 in Athens, Georgia.