Nov. 20, 2016
| PENN STATE @ OHIO STATE FALL INVITATIONAL | |
| | |
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 18-20 | |
| McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion | Columbus, Ohio | |
COLUMBUS, Ohio ââ'¬" Shane Ryan and Casey Francis led the Penn State men's and women's swimming & diving teams, respectively, as Ryan won his third event in as many days and Francis reached an 'A' final on the final day of competition at the Ohio State Fall Invitational Sunday in McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.
As a team, the Nittany Lion men placed fourth with 488.5 points and the women were eighth with 198.5 points. The host, 22nd-ranked Buckeyes won on the men's side, while No. 1 Stanford won on the women's side.
Ryan capped a strong weekend with a meet record in the 100 freestyle, touching first in 42.49 seconds. The time ranks as the second fastest in the NCAA so far this season. Ryan also won the 50 free and 100 back during the first two days of the meet.
Ryan also helped the 400 free relay team to a fourth place finish Sunday, as he and Matt Stasiunas, Tomer Zamir and JP Cervone teamed up to finish in 2:57.79. Stasiunas reached the 'B' final in the 100 free, as well, placing 18th in 45.26.
On the women's side, Francis posted an NCAA B-cut in the mile, touching eighth in 16:28.16. Freshman Amber Glenn followed in 12th in 16:36.97.
Ryan and Francis were not the only ones to see success for the Blue and White on the weekend.
"We had a number of good things to build on," said Penn State head coach Tim Murphy. "Our swims showed both our strengths and things we have to get better at. Liam (Veregin), Gunther (Cassell) and Kaelin (Freund), as well as Niki (Price) performed well today."
Niki Price posted a 'B' cut in the 200 backstroke, finishing in 1:57.40 to place 12th.
Freshman Liam Veregin saw success in the same event on the men's side, placing seventh in 1:47.06. Classmate Kaelun Freund won the 'B' final of the 200 breaststroke in a B-cut time of 1:59.65, which would have placed him third overall had he qualified for the 'A' final. Gunther Cassell finished right behind him in 12th in 2:00.48.
Cervone concluded a strong weekend individually by placing 11th in the mile in 15:37.85, while Robbie Dickson followed in 15:47.01 to place 17th. The men also placed two in the 'B' final of the 200 fly, as Sterg Dikos was 14th in 1:49.10 and Matt DiNunzio was 15th in 1:50.96.
Additional highlights for the women included a trio in the B-final of the 100 free, led by Katie Saloky in 13th (50.61). She was followed by Siena Salvaggio in 17th in 50.90 seconds and Tommie Dillione in 18th in 50.95 seconds. Emily Harris (2:18.43) and Katelyn Sowinski (2:05.29) both placed 19th in the 200 breast and 200 fly, respectively.
The Penn State divers were pleased with their performances over the weekend. Hector Garcia Boissier and Jack Crow both competed in the platform dive Sunday, placing ninth (278.55) and 10th (261.55), respectively.
"The divers' performances were strong against a field that included current Olympians and NCAA champions for both the 3-meter and platform events," said diving coach Dennis Ceppa. "Walking away with three top-eight finishes amongst such strong competition is a true accomplishment for our diving squad. As a group we now have a good idea about where we stand and what needs to be done to continue progressing."
Garcia led the Lions on the boards Saturday in the 3-meter, posting a finals score of 382.35 to place third.
Following exams and the annual winter training trip, Penn State will return to competition Jan. 13-14 hosting Yale and Rutgers in McCoy Natatorium.