STATE COLLEGE, Pa., January 23, 2002 ¨C The Penn State men¡¯s and women¡¯s swimming and diving teams will be competing against Big Ten teams for the first time this season at Michigan State on Friday and Saturday.

The men¡¯s team will be competing against Michigan State on Saturday at noon, while the women will face No. 14 Indiana and Michigan State on Friday and Saturday.

The Penn State men¡¯s team has a 1-2 record and is ranked No. 17 by the CSCAA, while the women are ranked No. 20 by the CSCAA and also sport a 1-2 record.

Head Coach Bill Dorenkott stated, "We are looking forward to opening our Big Ten slate. Michigan State and Indiana are two well coached programs that I hope will bring out our best.¡±

The three women's teams will compete every event that is contested at the Big Ten Championships, with the exception of platform diving. The meet will be divided into four segments; beginning with the one- and three-meter diving events at 4:30 p.m., on Friday, before the first swimming segment starts at 6 p.m. Saturday's competition will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the final events being held at 3 p.m.

Diving coach, Craig Brown added, "This will be a great opportunity for our kids to compete against the kind of great divers the Big Ten is known for. Our kids have been training well and we know this will be an important step in our preparation for the Big Ten¡¯s,¡± says coach Brown.

Both teams¡¯ final home dual meet is versus West Chester is Sunday, February 2 at 12:00 p.m in McCoy Natatorium. The senior squad members from both teams will be honored at the meet.

-LIONS-