Merritt Krawczyk Class: Junior Hometown: Kingwood, Texas High School: Kingwood Position: Breaststroke/IM

CAREER BESTS

2010-11 (SOPHOMORE YEAR):
Participated in eight events during her sophomore year... Earned All-American Honors in the 100-Breaststroke and 200-IM...Competed in four events at the NCAA Championships and five events at the Big Ten Championships... Posted a time of 1:53.97 in the 200-Freestyle vs. St. Bonaventure... Placed 14th in the nation in the 100-Breaststroke with a time of 1:00.94 after posting a season-best time of 1:00.56 in the prelims, the second best time in school history... Finished sixth in the Big Ten in the 100-Breaststroke, recording a time of 1:00.86... Took fourth place in the 100-Breaststroke at the Georgia invite with a time of 1:01.91... Placed 46th in the 200-Breaststroke at the NCAA Championships by posting a season-best time of 2:14.26... Finished 15th in the Big Ten in the 200-Breaststroke, recording a time of 2:17.24... Took first Place in the 200-Breaststroke against Michigan and Maryland with times of 2:14.88 and 2:16.82, respectively... Also finished first in 200-Breaststroke against Virginia Tech and West Virginia... Placed second in the 100-Butterfly against St. Bonaventure with a time of 56.95... Finished 13th in the nation in the 200-IM, posting a time of 1:58.24 at the NCAA Championships after posting a season-best 1:58.05 in the prelims... Posted a sixth place finish in the Big Ten in the 200-IM, recording a time of 1:59.56... Helped the 400-Freestyle Relay team to a 16th Place finish at the Georgia Invite with a time of 3:30.21... Combined with Sam Palser, Mackenzie Powers, and Paige Whitmire to place 17th at the NCAA Championships in the 200-Medley Relay, posting a time of 1:39.62... Recorded a time of 1:38.59 to place fourth in the Big Ten in the 200-Medley Relay... Also placed fourth in the Big Ten in the 400-Medley Relay with a time of 3:36.16... Finished seventh in the 400-Medley Relay at the Georgia Invite, posting a time of 3:42.05.

2009-10 (FRESHMAN YEAR): Media Guide Bio
Swam to an "NCAA B" time in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.87) at the Last Chance Meet (2/28) ... Posted a B time in all four events at the Big Ten Championships (2/17-20), finishing sixth in the 200 breaststroke (2:14.92), seventh in the 200 IM (2:00.34), eighth in the 200 medley relay (1:41.62) and ninth in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.53) ... Finished third in all three individual events at Ohio State (1/29-30) - 100 breaststroke (1:04.77), 200 breaststroke (2:19.76) and 200 IM (2:05.03) - while placing second in the 400 medley relay (3:47.31). The 200 breaststroke and 400 medley relay times were both season-bests ... Placed in the top five in every race she swam at the Pittsburgh Quad Meet (1/15-16) - 100 breaststroke (second, 1:04.62), 200 breaststroke (fifth, 2:23.11), 200 IM (third, 2:06.71), 200 medley relay (second, 1:45.21) and 400 medley relay (second, 3:50.09) ... Impressive showing at the Ohio State Invite (12/4-6) included a number of season-best times - 100 breaststroke (10th, 1:04.58), 200 IM (14th, 2:04.80, preliminary) and 400 IM (13th, 4:25.52). Also competed in the 200 breaststroke (14th, 2:20.07), 200 medley relay (sixth, 1:45.74) and 400 medley relay (10th, 3:52.73) ... Against Virginia (11/20-21), placed second in the 200 breaststroke (2:25.15), fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.64) and 200 medley relay (1:46.55), sixth in the 400 medley relay (3:54.37) and eighth in the 200 IM (2:06.10) ... Freshman has seen significant action in first collegiate season, highlighted by many top-five finishes ... Finished in the top-five of all events at Virginia Tech (10/31): 100 breaststroke (second, 1:05.86), 200 breaststroke (fifth, 2:24.68), 200 IM (fifth, 2:09.04) and 200 medley relay (fourth, 1:47.32) ... Was on the winning 400 medley relay team (3:48.92) and placed seventh in the 200 breaststroke (2:26.39) against West Virginia/Colgate (10/24) ... Finished first, second and third, respectively in the 200 breaststroke (2:26.38), 200 medley relay (1:50.76) and 400 IM (4:39.43) in first collegiate action at St. Bonaventure (10/13).

HIGH SCHOOL:
Strong high school career at Kingwood High School ... Finished first in the 100 breaststroke and third in the 200 IM at the Texas State Championships as a senior ... Was third in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM as a junior ... As a senior, was part of the Texas State Champion women's 200 medley relay ... Also swam for a club program, the Eagle Swimming Association ... Attended three junior national championships and the world championship trails for the 100 breaststroke.

PERSONAL: Full name is Merritt Rose Krawczyk ... Born on April 23, 1991 in Dallas, Texas ... Daughter of Sharon Dissinger and Jim Krawczyk. Step father is John Dissinger ... Has two brothers, A.J. (13) and Spencer (10) ... Planning on majoring in forensic science or sports medicine.

ON CHOOSING PENN STATE: "I chose Penn State because of the incredible leadership and team bonding I saw. I am also proud to be part of such an academically successful school. I love the scenery surrounding the campus. I love the way the team fits together and pushes each other!"

GETTING TO KNOW MERRITT
Nickname: Merrbear
Major & Why: Undecided
Favorite Thing About Penn State: The team spirit
Favorite Thing About State College: The scenery
Favorite Restaurant In State College: Waffle Shop
Favorite Ice Cream At The Creamery: Cookies & Cream
Favorite Penn State Sport Other Than Swimming: Football
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Musical Artist: Coldplay
Favorite Movie: Pride & Prejudice
Favorite TV Show: Gossip Girl
Favorite Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys
Childhood Idol: Dixie Chicks
Hobbies: Shopping
Place I'd Like To Visit: Greece
After Penn State, I Would Like To: Find an awesome job