July 22, 2015
LEWISBURG, Pa. - A pair of Penn State swimmers qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Wednesday, as Katelyn Sowinski (Severna Park, Md.) qualified in the women's 800-meter freestyle and Tim Maurer qualified in the 100-meter backstroke.
A total of 16 women's and 10 men's Nittany Lions are competing in the Mid Atlantic Senior Championships on the campus of Bucknell University Wednesday to Saturday in hopes of advancing to next year's Olympic Trials.
Sowinski touched first in the 800 free in 8:45.18, and was followed by teammate Casey Francis (East Meadow, N.Y.) who finished just shy of the qualifying standard in 8:50.98.
Tim Maurer (Hershey, Pa.) won the 100 back in 56.34 to punch his trials ticket for the event, and also placed third in the 100 butterfly in 55.89.
Additional Lion swimmers turned in strong placings despite not making the Olympic Trials cut. On the women's side, Mackenzie Hornibrook (West Chester, Pa.) won the 100 butterfly in 1:03.25 and was followed by three more Lions in the top five, led by Hannah Harper (Charlottesville, Va.) in third in 1:03.48. Casey Fazio (Washington Township, N.J.) came within a half second of a bid in the 100 backstroke herself, finishing in 1:03.82. Emily Harris (Downington, Pa.) placed third in the 200 breaststroke in 2:39.43.
The meet continues for the next three days. Penn State women's swimmers in the meet also include Anna Farnsworth, Kaitlin Joens, Bridget Moody, Allie Pennetti, Niki Price, Tara Rogers, Katie Saloky, Sierra Scoggin, Haley Sinatro, Kaitlin Sowinski, Chelsea VanderWeele and Megan Wujciak. Also participating on the men's side are Joseph Ahlberg, Bob Bantley, Harrison Grimm, David Gross, Mike Kwasnik, Tim Maurer, Ryan O'Neill, Andrew Schuehler, Jon Seiferth and Matt Stasiunas.