STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - After leading through day two of the Big Ten Championship, the #14 Penn State women's team used it's superior depth and talent in the 100-yard breaststroke to stay in contention for the team title entering the final day of competition. The Nittany Lions trail Indiana University by a mere 12.5 points in the team race.
In all, six Nittany Lions swimmers scored points in the 100 breaststroke. Kristen Woodring (Sinking Spring, Pa.) and Courtney Stanchock (Bloomsburg, Pa.) led the way by finishing first and third. Woodring's time of 1:01.15 and Stanchock's time of 1:02.07 earned them NCAA automatic qualifying times. Lindsey Wilson (Novelty, Ohio) improved her season best by over one second with a time of 1:03.30, which earned her fifth place. Lindsey Fraschilla (East Fallowfield, Pa.), Barb Mulshine (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Christina Frey (Manheim, Pa.) were Penn State's other three scorers in the event. Fraschilla placed 12th, Mulshine 13th and Frey 14th, with times of 1:04.29, 1:04.55 and 1:04.91.
In the first event of the night, Erin Mulshenock (New Castle, Del.) continued her fine Championship with her second NCAA automatic time of the competition. She placed fourth in the 400-yard individual medley in a time of 4:18.96. Her time lowered the school record she set earlier in the season (4:21.13).
Corrie Clark (Malvern, Pa.) also earned a NCAA automatic time by winning the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 54.35. Clark defended the title she won at last year's Big Tens. Jen Eberst (Clifton Park, N.Y.) placed sixth in the same event in a NCAA provisional time of 55.71, while Piper Chamberlin (Grand Junction, Colo.) placed 11th in 56.22.
Sally Anderson (Somerset, N.J.) followed up her performance last night by placing third in the 200-yard freestyle in a NCAA time of 1:48.89. Melissa Wilson (Houston, Texas) dropped her season best time by over three seconds to place 13th in a time of 1:51.22.
In the final swim event of the night, the 100-yard backstroke, four Nittany Lions garnered points. Susan Janoski (Exeter, Pa.), who swam a NCAA time of 56.23 in the prelims, placed 6th. Her time in the finals was 56.60. Katie Bruzda (Latrobe, Pa.) and Katie Hostetler (Chambersburg, Pa.) placed 12th and 15th in times of 56.46 and 57.07. Bruzda's time was a NCAA provisional time. Jen Eberst was Penn State's final scorer. Swimming her second event of the night, the freshman placed 16th in a time of 57.54.
The Big Ten Championships will conclude tomorrow. The preliminary events will begin at 11 a.m. and finals will be held at 7 p.m. Live results can be found at www.bigten.org or on www.gopsusports.com.
Coach Dorenkott Quotes:
Take on Day: Another solid day of competition. We had eight people in the finals and eight in the consolations. We have come ready to compete each day. I am very pleased.
Importance of 100 breaststrokers: Kristen Woodring and Courtney Stanchock are two of the best breaststrokers in the country. We are very fortunate to have them at Penn State. Overall, a great performance by everyone.
Rest of Meet: We are all real excited to be in the title hunt. This is why you come to college and work so hard all year. I am looking forward to tomorrow excitement and great competition.
