COLLEGIATE BESTS:
| Event | Time | Date | Site/Opponent |
| 50 Free | 22.69 | 1/13/23 | v. Army |
| 100 Free | 49.89 | 1/13/23 | v. Army |
| 200 Free | 1:51.42 | 11/18/22 | NC State Invitational |
Career Accolades:
- Won the Nittany Lion Award (2023).
- Academic All-B1G (2022, 2023).
2022-23 (Junior):
- B1G Championships (2/15-18): Contributed to the 4th-placing 200 Free (1:29.40) and 5th-placing 200 Medley (1:37.51) relays. Finalist in the 50 Free (22.99), scoring points in 21st.
- v. Virginia Tech (1/21): Won the 50 Free (22.88) and placed 4th in the 100 Free (49.93).
- v. Army (1/13): Won the 50 Free (22.69) and part of the winning 200 Medley (1:38.01) and 200 Free (1:30.74) relays.
- NC State Invitational (11/17-19): Contributed to the 3rd place 200 Free (1:30.31) and 5th place 200 Medley (1:38.45) relays. Finalist in the 50 (22.85), 100 (50.26) and 200 (1:52.96) free, finishing 10th, 16th and 31st.
- v. West Virginia (11/4): Won the 50 Free (23.28) and part of the winning 200 Medley (1:40.88) and 400 Free (3:25.18) relays.
- v. Pitt/Notre Dame (10/21-22): Placed 2nd and 3rd in the 50 (23.30) and 100 (51.21) free. Contributed to the winning 400 Medley (3:41.92) and 200 Free (1:31.77) relays.
- v. Navy/Boston College (10/8): Won the 50 Free (23.44) and part of the winning 400 Free Relay (3:25.37).
2021-22 (Sophomore):
- B1G Championships (2/16-19): Competed in the 50 free (22.97) and the 100 free (51.30). Scored for Penn State as a part of the 200 free relay.
- v. Virginia Tech (1/22): Second in the 50 free (23.19).
- NC State Invitational (11/18-20): Finalist in the 50 free and the 100 free, finishing 15th (22.96) and 32nd (51.64). Set a personal best in the 100 free in prelims (51.28).
- v. Bloomsburg (11/9): Won the 50 free (23.62).
- v. Liberty/ECU (10/29-30): Second place in the 25 free (10.93) and the 50 free (23.47).
- v. West Virginia (10/15): Placed third in the 50 free (24.12).
- v. Navy (10/9): Placed third in the 50 free (23.94).
2020-21 (Freshman):
- Big Ten Championships (2/23-27): Scored for Penn State in the 50 free (23.22). Achieved season-bests in both 50 and 100 free.
- v. Northwestern/Iowa (1/22-23): Placed sixth in the 50 free (23.52) and competed in the 100 free.
- v. Michigan State (2/5-6): Won the 50 free (23.54) and placed fourth in the 100 free (52.08).
High School:
- Four-year letterwinner for East Aurora High School in sprint freestyle under coaches Chris Musshafen and Art Aungst.
- Chosen as captain for her senior year.
- Won team MVP award her freshman, sophomore, and junior year.
- Broke school record in the 50, 100, and 200 free.
- New York Section VI Class B champion in the 50 free her senior year and 100 free her junior year.
- Placed in the top five of the New York State meet in the 50 and 100 free as a senior and top ten in the 100 her junior year.
- Section VI ECIC swimmer of the meet during senior year.
- Swam for school records in the 50 free (23.47) and 100 free (52.01).
- National Honors Society member and Scholastic All-American.
- Swam for club team Orchard Park Town Wreckers Swim Team under coach Becky Sapio.
- Swam a Winter Junior National cut time.
Personal
- Full name is Mary Elizabeth Brinker.
- Parents are John and Ann Marie Brinker.
- Has an older sister Emma and younger sister Anna.
- Mother Ann Marie played basketball at Georgetown University from 1985-89.
- Sister Emma plays basketball for Le Moyne College.
- Enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and playing basketball.
- Fan of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres.
- Favorite TV show is The Bachelor.
Why Penn State?
“I chose Penn State because of the welcoming team and awesome coaches. The opportunity given to student athletes to flourish both in and out of the pool drew me in as well. I am entering Penn State undecided in what I will be majoring in and I am excited to explore the career paths that are offered.”