July 5, 2008

Omaha, Neb. - Pat Schirk placed eighth in the finals of the 200 backstroke while Daphne Skelos tied for ninth in preliminary heats of the women's 200 backstroke to advance on to the semfinals before finishing 15th in the semis to highlight Penn State's swimmers' action on Friday, day six of U.S. Olympic Trials.

Schirk, who finished fifth in the prelims and sixth in the semifinals of the 200 back, touched the wall in 1:59.88. He finished 5.56 seconds behind winner Aaron Peirsol, who tied Ryan Lochte's world record of 1:54.32 while Lochte finished just .02 of a second behind Peirsol.

Skelos, who was seeded 12th in the women's 200 backstroke, tied for ninth place in the morning prelims on Friday to advance to the semifinals on Friday night, swimming a 2:12.70. She then placed 15th in the semis in 2:13.52.

Complete results for Penn State swimmers on day six are listed below

Men's 100 Butterfly
Tim Williams (69th - :55.08)
Women's 200 Backstroke
Daphne Skelos (T9th - 2:12.70; Semis: 15th - 2:13.52)
Michelle Myers (27th - 2:14.72)
Kaitlyn Ferguson (71st - 2:18.57)
Men's 200 Backstroke (Finals)
Pat Schirk (8th - 1:59.88)