2007-08: Jon picked up his first career first place finishes in his sophomore campaign. He placed first in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle and 800 freestyle relay at the Priceton Invitational. Throughout the year, Jon didn[apos]t finish below sixth in the 200 freestyle leading up to Big Ten competition. He also improved his backstroke placing 13th among conference powers Michigan, Northwestern and Ohio State. An excellent student, Jon received Academic All-Big Ten accolades.
Meet-by-Meet Highlights: Placed third in the 200 free at the West Virginia dual meet...finished second in the 800 free relay, placed sixth in the 200 free at the Hoosierland Open Invitational...won the 500 free, won the 800 freestyle relay at the Princeton Big Al Invitational.
Summer 2007: Jon swam in three meets over the summer season. He started off by competing in the 200 and 400-meter freestyle as well as both backstrokes at the Eric Namesnik Memorial Grand Prix. He then competed in those same four events at the Charlotte Ultraswim of the Grand Prix series, finishing 16th in the 400 and 21st in the 200. He also was on the sixth place 400 free and the eighth place 400 medley relay teams in Charlotte. He also swam in the 400 free at U.S. Nationals.
2006-07: Jon positioned himself for a breakout sophomore year by swimming his best times of his freshman year in the 200 and 500 freestyle and the 200 backstroke at Big Ten Championships. Although he did not score points at Big Ten[apos]s, he lowered his previous bests by a couple of second in each event. On the year, he had one first place finish, which came in a relay event, one second place finish and two thirds. He had the fifth best time on the team during the year in the 200 free and 100 back, the fourth best time in the 500 free, and the third best in the 200 back.
Meet-by-Meet Highlights: Placed third in the 200 free, sixth in the 200 back and was on the fifth place 400 medley relay team in his first collegiate meet, the dual meet at West Virginia....Finished ninth in the 200 free at the Clemson/Virginia/Virginia Tech/Penn State quad-meet....Picked up points for the Nittany Lions as a member of the 800 free relay team (8th place) and also swam in the 200 free, 500 free and 200 back at the Bell Grand Prix....Came in fifth in the 100 free, the only time of the year he swam that event, in the dual meet vs. West Chester....Finished second in the 200 free and third in the 200 back in the dual meet vs. Rutgers....Had perhaps his best meet of the year at the Shamrock Invitational as he placed fifth in the 500 free, seventh in the 100 back and was on the winning 800 free relay team and the fifth place 200 medley relay team.
High School: Jon lettered in swimming for three years at State College Area High School, serving as a captain his senior year. As a senior, he won state titles in both the 100 backstroke and as part of the 400 freestyle relay team. Additionally, he placed fifth in the 200 free, and was on the sixth place 200 free relay team at the state meet, helping lead his team to a runner-up finish. As a junior, he swam on the eighth place 200 medley relay team and finished fourth in the 100 backstroke at the state meet. As a sophomore, he swam on the seventh place 200 medley relay team. He graduated with four school records and was an Academic All-American.
Personal: Jon was born on June 30, 1988 in State College, Pa. He is the son of David and Patti Cochrane. Both of his parents attended Penn State. He has a younger brother, Adam, and a younger sister, Rachael. He is majoring in engineering at Penn State and lists road and mountain biking as his hobbies.
Why I Chose Penn State: 'The great blend of academics and athletics that Penn State has to offer.'