UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's swimming and diving swept three events in a 173-122 win against West Virginia Friday evening in the McCoy Natatorium. The Nittany Lions finished with 11 first-place finishes in the meet.
Nittany Lion Relays
To start the meet off, the team of Liam Veregin, Brad Johnson, Matthew DiNunzio, and Gabe Castano placed first in the 200 medley with a score of 1:29.61. Penn State's team of Tomer Zamir, Hayden Harlow, Zach Zwijacz, and Will Roberson took third in the event with a score of 1:31.74.
To conclude the meet, Castano, Dinunzio, Roberson, and Eben Krigger had the second fastest time in the 400 free relay (3:00.74).
Top Individual Performances
On the boards, Garcia Boissier swept the diving competitions with a win in the 1-meter with a score of 379.88, and the 3-meter (397.13). Fellow senior Jack Crow placed second in both the 1-meter (322.88) and the 3-meter (379.88).
For the swimmers, senior co-captain Robbie Dickson started off the individual events with a first-place finish in the 1000 free (9:32.02). Michael Daly led two sweeps for the Nittany Lions in the 200 fly (1:49.06) and 200 back (1:48.89). Following Daly in the 200 fly was Nathaniel Bledsoe (1:51.82), and Zach Zwijacz (1:52.17). Bledsoe also finished second in the 200 back (1:51.34) followed by Theo Perelli (1:51.82).
Gabe Castano finished the day with a pair of first place finishes as well. Castano finished first in the 50 free (20.43) and 100 free (45.23), which the Nittany Lions swept. Following Castano in the 100 free was Roberson (45.58) and DiNunzio (45.65).
Also with a pair of first-place finishes was Nathan Schiffmann, who placed first in the 200 free and 500 free with times of 1:40.47 and 4:30.89, respectively.
Hayden Harlow concluded the meet with a first-place finish in a sweep in the 200 breast (2:03.43) on top of a third place finish in the 100 breast (56.54). Brad Johnson (2:06.85) and William Lulek (2:07.10) finished second and third in the 200 breast sweep.
Penn State Event Winners
200 Medley Relay- Liam Veregin, Brad Johnson, Matthew Dinunzio,Gabe Castano-1:29.61
1000 free- Robbie Dickson-9:32.02
200 free- Nathan Schiffmann-1:40.47
200 fly- Michael Daly-1:49.06
50 free- Gabe Castano-20.43
100 free- Gabe Castano-45.23
200 back- Michael Daly-1:48.89
200 breast- Hayden Harlow-2:03.43
500 free-Nathan Schiffmann-4:30.89
1-meter- Hector Garcia-Boissier- 379.88
3-meter- Hector Garcia-Boissier-397.13
Next Up
Tomorrow, the Penn State men's and women's swimming and diving team will return to the McCoy Natatorium from 8 a.m-10 a.m. when the team takes on Bloomsburg for Senior Day. The meet start time was moved earlier due to anticipated winter weather. Admission is free. Parking will be available in the East Parking Deck for $1 per hour.
The first intermission will feature the fourth annual Great Penn State Duck Toss, in which fans will have the opportunity to throw rubber ducks into the pool at hula hoop targets for an opportunity to win a TV. Further details will be available at the promotions table. Additionally, the men's and women's senior class will be honored during the second intermission.
Check GoPSUSports.com for coverage of the Penn State swimming and diving teams during the season. Follow the team on Twitter at @PennStateSWIM and on Facebook at facebook.com/pennstateswimminganddiving.
A fundraiser has been launched to support freshman women's swimmer Nikolette Nolte and her family for costs associated with her leukemia treatment. Any surplus funds will be donated to THON and the Jessie Rees Foundation to help others facing pediatric cancer. Donate at gopsu.info/nikistrong.
