GREENSBORO, N.C. – Penn State women's swimming and diving's first day of competition at the NC State Invitational featured 17 Nittany Lion finalists, Daphne Wils's victory in the 3-Meter Dive (334.60) and a third-place finish in the 200 Free Relay (1:30.31) Thursday at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
The Nittany Lions scored 261.5 points, placing them fifth overall in the meet featuring several nationally ranked collegiate teams.
"A number of really strong performances in the pool and on the boards – overall a good first day," said Penn State head coach Tim Murphy. "Two more full days of trials and finals. The level of the competition is extremely high. We need to continue to respond."
Top Swims:
Freshman distance freestylers Catherine Meisner and Morgan Moore impressed in the 500, dropping more than seven (4:48.03) and 11 (4:50.32) seconds off their season bests to place 11th and 14th respectively.
Junior Abby Henderson (2:01.51) and senior Shannon Meadway (2:02.54) both scored in the 200 IM.
Mary Brinker led Penn State's sprint squad, which sent nine athletes to the 50 Free finals. The junior finished 10th (22.85) as senior Emma Harvey, graduate student Olivia Jack and senior Ellie Tiskus scored for the Nittany Lions in 14th (22.97), 18th (22.73) and 19th (22.92).
Relays:
Placing third in the 200 Free Relay, Brinker, Harvey, Tiskus and Jack swam to a 1.46 second season best of 1:30.31.
Top Dives:
Wils won the 3-Meter Dive (334.60) and captain Wei Wei took fourth with a personal record of 307.70.
Event Finalists:
500 Free – C. Meisner, Moore
200 IM –Henderson, Meadway Julia Meisner, Krista Marlin
50 Free – Brinker, Harvey, Jack, Tiskus, Abbie Amdor, Catherine Stanford, Ellie Brandbergh, Molly Carson, Marly Lough
3-Meter – Wils, Wei
Up Next:
The Nittany Lions return Friday at 9:30 a.m. to compete in day two preliminaries of the N.C. State Invitational.
Keep up with Penn State swimming and diving by following the team on Instagram (@PennStateSwimDive), Twitter (@PennStateSWIM) and Facebook (Penn State Swimming & Diving).
