UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's and women's swimming and diving teams are hitting the road for a one-day matchup against the Villanova Wildcats. Competition kicks off Friday, Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. at the Villanova Swim Complex.
Schedule of Events
200 Freestyle Relay
1000 Free
200 Free
100 Back
100 Breast
200 Fly
50 Free
1-meter Diving
100 Free
200 Back
200 Breast
500 Free
100 Fly
3-meter Diving
200 IM
200 Medley Relay
The Series
The Nittany Lion men are 27-14 against Villanova dating back to their first meet in 1938. The women are 24-1 against the Wildcats. Both men's and women's team won their last meeting against the Wildcats, coming in February 2018 at home.
Last Time Out for Penn State
On Friday, January 18, the men's team took on the Mountaineers of West Virginia, winning the meet 173-122. Hector 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). 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. Overall, the Nittany Lions won 11 events against the Mountaineers.
The Penn State men and women competed at home against the Bloomsburg Huskies on Saturday, Jan. 19. Both the men and women came out with a victory for senior day. The Nittany Lion men's swimming and diving had 12 top finishes throughout the meet, including five sweeps in a 151-104 win for senior day. The Nittany Lions had 12 top finishes Nathan Schiffman had three top finishes, including one in the 1000 free and a sweep in the 200 fly. Gabe Castano also concluded with meet with a pair of first-place sweeps in the 200 free (1:41.07) and the 100 free (45.07). Following Castano in the 200 free was Harlow (1:41.21) and DiNunzio (1:43.13). In the sweep of the 100 free was Eben Krigger (47.06) and Austin Wilson (47.43). Also leading a sweep was senior co-captain Robbie Dickson in the 200 back (1:52.25). Behind him was William Lulek (1:55.69) and Aidan Daly (1:56.61). Theo Perelli and Michael Daly both led the charge in the 200 breast with times of 2:10.19 and 2:12.27, respectively.
The women defeated the Huskies 151-104 taking home top times in every event. The Nittany Lions saw a 1-2-3 sweep of the 200 medley and rounded out the morning with a top time in the 200 freestyle relay. Senior captain Ally McHugh started the morning's winning streak taking first in the 1000 free (9:50.12) and earned a top time for the 200 breast (2:21.66). Penn State saw a first through fifth place sweep in both the 200 free and 200 back. Marget Shelly led the 200 free in first (1:52.60) while Stephanie Szekely led the 200 back (2:01.59). Szekely also snagged a top time 200 IM (2:05.12). Freshman Brooke Matthias led a 1-2-3 sweep of the 200 fly with a time of 2:03.83. Camryn Barry ended the morning in first for both the 100 back (57.18) and 100 free (52.18).
Scouting the Wildcats
The men's team is currently 1-5, with their last meet a loss to the University of Connecticut on Jan. 26.
The women's team is currently 8-1 with their last meet being a win against the University of Connecticut on Jan. 26.
Next Up
Penn State women's swimming & diving will head to Bloomington, Indiana Feb. 20 – 23 for the Big Ten Championships. The men will travel to Iowa City, Iowa Feb. 27 through Mar. 2 for the Big Ten Championships.
A fundraiser was 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 atgopsu.info/nikistrong
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.
