State College, Pa., May 7, 2001 - The Penn State men's swimming and diving team announced the winners of its annual end-of-the-season awards recently during its team banquet. A quartet of Nittany Lions shared the Lou MacNeil Award, which honors the team's most outstanding swimmer(s). Sophomore Eugene Botes (Glen Mills, Pa.), senior John Retrum (Anderson, Ind.) along with juniors Bob Molettiere (Harleysville, Pa.) and Martin Scheirhorn (Zappendorf, Germany) shared the honor.

Seniors Joe Peresan (Lancaster, N.Y.) and Steve Hodgins (Holmdel, N.J.) were each awarded the Jerome Weinstein Coaches' Award, which is handed out to the "hardest worker and largest team contributor through joyous times as well as struggles."

Senior diver Chris Alderman claimed the Robert E. Galbraith Award, given annually to the squad's top diver. Alderman, Peresan and Retrum were also recognized with the R. Lucas Shelly Award, which is given to the "strongest and most consistent work ethic during spring and summer training.

Peresan also took home the Nittany Lion Award for being Penn State's most improved swimmer this season.

Penn State wrapped up the 2000-01 season with a third-place showing at the 2001 Big Ten Championships and followed that with the top showing in the program's history at the 2001 NCAA Championships as it finished 16th nationally this season. It marked the third straight season in which the Nittany Lions posted the top NCAA performance in its history.