LION CAREER
2012-13: Competed in four events, the 100 and 200 backstroke, 100 butterfly and 200 IM ... Posted his best time of the season in the 100 backstroke at the Big Ten Championships (2/27-3/2/13), touching the wall in 48.84 ... Raced to a season-best time in the 200 backstroke with a mark of 1:47.39 at the Big Tens ... Finished the 200 IM at the Big Ten Championships in his best time of the season with a mark of 1:48.50 ... His season-best times ranked fourth on the team in the 200 IM and fifth in the 100 and 200 backstroke.
2011-12: Competed in nine events as a sophomore, seeing the most action in the 100 back and the 200 back ... Participated in three events at the 2012 Big Ten Championships (2/22-2/25/12), recording personal best times in the 100 backstroke with a mark of 48.65, the 200 backstroke, finishing in 1:45.05 and the 200 IM, touching the wall in 1:48.50 ... Won the 'B' Final in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:48.46 at the Ohio State Invitational (12/2/11).
2010-11: Competed in the Big Ten Championships (2/23-2/26/11) in four events ... Placed 30th in the preliminaries for 100 breaststroke with a time of 49.63 at the Big Ten Championships ... Hit the NCAA 'B' standard in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:45.98 for 13th place at the Big Ten Championships ... Had a season-best time with a 1:45.25 showing at the Last Chance Meet (3/5/11) ... Competed in the 100 butterfly at the Big Ten Championships with a time of 50.43.
HIGH SCHOOL
Won two team Inter-AC Championships under the coaching of Paul Hornsleth and Jay Schiller ... Named All-Inter-AC and All-American ... Four-time letterwinner in swimming ... Earned First Honors in academics ... Five-time YMCA National Champion for Upper Main Line YMCA club team coached by Glenn Neufeld ... Holds three Long Course YMCA national records ... Qualified for Junior Nationals.
PERSONAL
Thomas John Mershon was born on May 27, 1992 in Philadelphia, Pa. to John and Janie Mershon ... Has a sister, Hollie, who played basketball at Drexel, and a brother, John, who played football for Ithaca College. Majoring in management.
ON CHOOSING PENN STATE
'I chose Penn State for the opportunities the university offers. Penn State[apos]s pride in academics and athletics is something to behold and impressed me greatly.'