March 16, 2016

ATLANTA ââ'¬" The Penn State team of Alyson Ackman (Montreal, Quebec), Niki Price (Manchester, Pa.), Megan Wujciak (Livingston, N.J.) and Kaitlin Jones (Midlothian, Va.) was named honorable mention All-America in the 800 freestyle relay Wednesday evening to open the first day of the 2016 NCAA Women's Swimming Championships, hosted by Georgia Tech in the McAuley Aquatic Center.

The quartet combined to finish in a season-best 7 minutes, 4.42 seconds to place 14th. It was also the second fastest time in school history in the event.

"We swam faster than we did at Big Tens and we're on the board, so it was a solid night," said head coach Tim Murphy. "We had four honorable mention All-Americans; well deserved. The event was considerably faster than it was last year, so I'm real proud of the ladies. They're off to a good start. It's not going to get any easier but they're off to a good start."

For Ackman, it is her 11th career first team or honorable mention All-America honor, while it was Jones' second after earning first-team honors as a part of last season's 800 free relay performance. It was the first for Price and Wujciak who both made their NCAA Championships debuts.

"I think they did alright," said Murphy of Price and Wujciak. "Megan swam considerably faster than she did at Big Tens. Niki was just about the same … so those are real good signs. I told them they did a nice job and also said that Ackman and Jones aren't going to be here next year, so you need to keep learning and pushing the envelope. They've got some big shoes to fill."

The 800 free relay was the lone event contested Wednesday and was the first of four relays the Lions will swim in.

Starting Thursday, preliminary sessions begin at 10 a.m. ET each day with nightly finals slated for 6 p.m.

The Lions will compete in two more relays Thursday: the 200 free and 400 medley. Juniors Katelyn Sowinski (Severna Park, Md.) and Casey Francis (East Meadow, N.Y.) will swim in the 500 free in the first distance event. Katie Rowe (Glenville, N.Y.) will follow in the 200 individual medley and then Jones and Ackman will compete in the 50 freestyle.

"We've got a real busy morning, so we'll see," said Murphy. "We just need to be able to step it up tomorrow. If we're going to get second sprints it's going to be very difficult to come by."

ESPN3.com will live stream finals sessions on Friday and Saturday. Thursday's sessions, along with the morning sessions on Friday and Saturday, will be streamed live on NCAA.com. Additionally, ESPNU will air a two-hour broadcast via tape delay at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 29. Live results for the championships will be available on NCAA.com.

Schedule of Events:
Thursday
Prelims - 10 a.m.
Diving Trials ââ'¬" 1-meter - 12:30 p.m.
15 minutes following trials - 1-meter diving consolation final
Finals - 6 p.m.
200 Freestyle Relay Consolation
200 Free Relay Final
500 Free Consolation
500 Free Final
200 IM Consolation
200 IM Final
50 Free Consolation
50 Free Final
1-meter Diving Final
400 Medley Relay Consolation
400 Medley Relay Final

Friday
Prelims - 10 a.m.
Diving Trials ââ'¬" 3-meter - 12:15
15 minutes following trails - 3-meter diving consolation final
Finals - 6 p.m.
400 IM Consolation
400 IM Final
100 Butterfly Consolation
100 Fly Final
200 Free Consolation
200 Free Final
100 Breaststroke Consolation
100 Breast Final
100 Backstroke Consolation
100 Back Final
3-meter Diving Final
200 Medley Relay Consolation
200 Medley Relay Final

Saturday
Prelims - 10 a.m.
Platform Diving Trials - 12:15
15 minutes following trials - platform consolation final
3:45 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. - freestyle early heats begin
4:50 p.m. - Free last heat of timed finals
Finals - 6 p.m.
200 Back Consolation
200 Back Final
100 Free Consolation
100 Free Final
200 Breast Consolation
200 Breast Final
200 Butterfly Consolation
200 Fly Final
Platform Diving Final
400 Free Relay Consolation
400 Free Relay Final
Team Awards