UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State Nittany Lions swim to a second consecutive victory to begin the 2023-24 campaign against the Navy Midshipmen at McCoy Natatorium.
Several big performances from Nittany Lions upperclassmen secured the victory for Penn State by a score of 196-104.
"It's an honor to compete against the Naval Academy," said Head Coach Tim Murphy. "What I really liked is the way they raced the last couple of events. They were tired at that point... but it didn't affect their focus or their effort."
Top Swims:
Sophomore Morgan Moore won the 1000 free, shaving four seconds off her time from last weekend against St. Bonaventure. Her teammates, senior Morgan Rinn and freshman Morgan Jenny, finished second and third completing the sweep for the Nittany Lions in the 100 free.
Sophomore Catherine Meisner flew to a decisive victory in the 200 free, posting a time (1:49.50) that is four seconds off her personal best (1:45.95).
The Nittany Lions extended their lead over the Midshipmen sweeping the 200 fly. Sophomore Julia Meisner and Rinn finished four tenths of a second apart, while Mac Sullivan capped off the sweep in third.
Senior Cat Stanford continued to build upon her stellar first meet last weekend, winning the 50 free and posting a blazing fast 23.33. Stanford also sprinted to a win in the 100 free posting a 51 flat.
Senior Abby Henderson and junior Molly Carson were excellent in the 200 back for the Nittany Lions placing first and second. Henderson finished two seconds ahead of Carson and three seconds ahead of the third-place finisher from Navy.
Meisner struck gold again in the 500 free with Moore as they finished first and second to seal the deal for the Nittany Lions.
Top Dives:
Freshman Kailey Koval and Abigail Ekstrom finished second and third in the one-meter dive, each posting their own zone qualifiers.
It was Ekstrom in the three-meter dive that beat out Koval and capped off a memorable diving week after winning Big Ten Diver of the Week this week.
Relays:
The women's 200-yard medley relay began the morning with a splash as the Nittany Lions edged out the Midshipmen to take the top spot. Stanford dazzled in the final leg to come from second-place in the final time down the pool.
The women's 400-yard freestyle relay team of Meisner, Nya Robinson, Ellie Brandbergh and Stanford dominated, taking the top spot and posting a lightning fast time of 3:26.25.
Winners
1000 Free: Morgan Moore (10:26.74)
200 Free: Catherine Meisner (1:49.50)
100 Breast: Molly Carson (55.58)
200 Fly: Julia Meisner (2:03.40)
50 Free: Cat Stanford (23.33)
100 Free; Cat Stanford (51.00)
200 Back: Abby Henderson (2:01.71)
500 Free: Catherine Meisner (4:59.80)
100 Fly: Ellie Brandbergh (56.32)
200 IM: Abby Henderson (2:05.08)
Next weekend, the Nittany Lions will travel to West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers Friday night at 6 p.m.
For updates on Penn State swimming and diving, follow the team on Instagram (@pennstateswimdive), Twitter (@PennStateSwim) and Facebook (Penn State Swimming & Diving).