LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Penn State Women's Swimming and Diving team won against Liberty and East Carolina in their third meet of the season. They topped both the Flames, 301-128, and the Pirates, 340-72, after two days of competition at Liberty Natatorium.
Graduate student Maddie Cooke and senior Marie Schobel led the Nittany Lions to victories during the final day of the meet. Cooke won two individual events this afternoon while Schobel continued her streak of backstroke event wins.
Top Swims
Cooke won the 100 IM in 57.53 and the 50 breast in 28.99. In the 50 breast, senior Olivia Jack swam to a close second in 29.29, touching after Cooke by only three tenths.
Schobel finished the 200 back in 1:57.21, placing first by over five seconds. Freshman Molly Carson impressed by winning a close battle for second in 2:02.39.
Penn State swept the top six places in the 500 free. They were led by senior Madison Murtagh, who won the event in 5:01.22. Junior Courtney Marlin followed her to second with 5:02.42, while sophomores Annie Walls, Morgan Rinn and Anna Redican placed third (5:06.12), fourth (5:09.23) and fifth (5:09.59) respectfully. Freshman Shelby Kahn swam home for sixth (5:10.28).
Sophomore Cat Stanford led the Nittany Lions in sweeping the 50 free through fourth place. She finished first in 23.23. Sophomore Mary Brinker and junior Abigail Amdor raced closely and finished second (23.47) and third (23.63), while freshman Marly Lough touched fourth (24.36).
Junior Emma Harvey led Schobel and Jack in sweeping the 50 fly. She won the event in 25.08. Schobel touched second (25.71) and Jack finished third (25.79).
Stand out freshman Maura Fluehr won the 100 fly in 56.40. Harvey placed a close second in 56.44.
Marlin won the 400 IM in 4:27.73, leading Abby Henderson to second (4:29.15).
Top Dives
Junior Wei Wei impressed by winning the 1-Meter dive with a score of 245.45. Earlier this weekend, she and freshman Tatum Evens were Penn State's top scorers in the 3-Meter, placing fifth and fourth with scores of 224.05 and 229.70 respectfully.
Nittany Lions Relays
The women won all of the relay's that they competed in this weekend. Penn State placed first in the 100 medley and 100 free Friday evening and won the 200 medley and 200 free earlier today.
The Nittany Lions earned a one-two finish in 200 medley relay. They were led by the team of Schobel, Cooke, Harvey and Stanford (1:42.51) while Carson, Jack, Fluehr and Amdor followed them to second (1:44.74).
At the conclusion of the meet, the women swept the 200 free. Stanford, Cooke, Amdor and Lough led Penn State and placed first in 1:34.23. Jack, Brinker, Ellie Tiskus and Fluehr finished second (1:35.79) and Carson, Harvey, Kate Sheridan and Molly Pedersen came home for third (1:36.26).
Event Winners
500 Free - Madison Murtagh (5:01.22)
50 Free - Cat Stanford (23.23)
50 Fly - Emma Harvey (25.08)
100 IM - Maddie Cooke (57.63)
200 Back - Marie Schobel (1:57.21)
50 Breast - Maddie Cooke (28.99)
100 Fly - Maura Fluehr (56.40)
400 IM - Courtney Marlin (4:27.73)
Next Up
Next Saturday, November 6, the men and women's teams return home. They will welcome Bloomsburg to McCoy Natatorium.
Check GoPSUSports.com for coverage of the Penn State swimming and diving teams during the season. Follow the team on Twitter at @PennStateSWIM , on Instagram at @pennstateswimdive , and on Facebook at facebook.com/pennstateswimminganddiving.
