Nov. 13, 2016
Here's @shaneryanpsu's winning swim and interview with @RowdyGaines https://t.co/mpDwAOhfeR
- Penn State Swimming (@PennStateSWIM) November 13, 2016
| USA COLLEGE CHALLENGE | |
Nov. 12-13, 2016 | |
| Indiana University Natatorium | Indianapolis, Ind. | |
INDIANAPOLIS ââ'¬" Penn State swimmer Shane Ryan (Havertown, Pa.) swam the NCAA's fastest 100 backstroke of the season and led the Big Ten to victory in the 400 freestyle relay on the final day of competition in the USA College Challenge, presented by arena, Sunday afternoon in the Indiana University Natatorium.
The unique event pitted the USA Swimming National team against an all-star lineup from the Big Ten. USA ultimately won the two-day, 32-event meet, 349-247.
"It was exciting, it was interesting, and there was a heck of a lot of fast swimming going on from both the Big Ten team and the USA National team," said Penn State head coach Tim Murphy. "It was a great challenge, everybody kind of stepped up, the (Big Ten) athletes got a different perspective being on the same team for a couple of sessions, but I think they made some new friends.
"I'm real proud of our group, they contributed both in the pool and on the deck. It was fun for them and they enjoyed it."
Ryan neared the NCAA 'A' standard (45.37) in the 100 backstroke, touching first in 45.75 seconds, as the lone swimmer to finish under 46 seconds. Ryan then concluded the meet by anchoring the Big Ten's 400 freestyle relay 'A' team, to victory by posting a 41.72 split. The Big Ten earned a 1-2 finish in the event, with Ryan's squad finishing in 2:50.81.
"This was a real challenge for Shane and he responded really well, which is good," said Murphy. "He swam faster the second day than he did the first day and he anchored the winning relay at the end of the night."
"The nature of the meet was that it invited those kind of opportunities, and he took advance of it."
On the women's side Sunday for Penn State, Katelyn Sowinski (Severna Park, Md.) placed fourth in the 200 butterfly in an NCAA 'B' cut time of 1:57.83, and Casey Francis (East Meadow, N.Y.) competed in the women's 400 free relay.
"The ladies did an excellent job," said Murphy. "They had some outstanding swims that they can really build off of moving forward, so I told them I was proud of their efforts, proud of the way they raced and they posted some real good stuff."
On Saturday, Francis placed sixth in the 500 free in a season-best 4:44.01, and also competed in the women's 800 free relay.
Ryan led off the Big Ten's men's 400 medley relay effort with a 100 backstroke of 46.33, improving on his season-best effort in the event the leads the conference and ranks third in the NCAA. The team finished third in 3:07.93 behind USA National team efforts.
Ryan is adjusting well in his return to collegiate swimming after spending the past year training for and then competing in the Olympics with Ireland.
"It was a big culture shock coming back for me since I was by myself a lot and just with my family in Ireland, but it's great to come back and get up and get going again," said Ryan. "It's weird swimming yards again, so I'm still trying to get used to that.
"It looks good for the rest of the year, I just have to make sure I stay on top of my nutrition, keep, working hard and push my teammates a little bit more."
Penn State will next conclude its first semester competition schedule at the Ohio State Invitational, Nov. 18-20.