STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- February 26, 2003 - The Penn State men's swimming and diving team will be traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich. this weekend to compete in the Big Ten Championships.

The Nittany Lions have placed among the top three teams in the conference meet each of the last four years, including winning the Big Ten crown in 1999.

Coach Bill Dorenkott's team posted a 4-3 dual meet record and is ranked No. 17 by the CSCAA. Penn State enters the Championships as the fourth highest ranked Big Ten team in the latest CSCAA coaches' poll, behind No. 4 Michigan, No. 6 Minnesota and No. 10 Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions were 1-0 in Big Ten dual meet competition this year, defeating Michigan State.

Penn State returns 100 Freestyle champion Eugene Botes (Thorton, Pa.) to defend his crown . A senior, Botes set school records in the 100 Free and 100 Butterfly in last year's conference meet, finishing second in the 100 Fly and second in the 50 Free. In addition to Botz, junior Todd Minnier (Avon Lake, Ohio) returns from last year's Big Ten-winning 200 Freestyle Relay.

The meet begins on Thursday, February 27 at 12:00 p.m., with sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Live results will be available at www.GoPSUsports.com throughout the competition.