UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa - Penn State welcomed the University of Pittsburgh Panthers in their home opener at McCoy Natatorium for a two day competition. These two teams faced off in each of their last two seasons, where the Panthers went 2-0 over their state rivals. Eager to get back in the win column, the Nittany Lions battled through each event to post 211-142 over Pitt.
At the conclusion of day one, the men lead the Panthers with a score of 91-76. Penn State touched first in four individual events, as well as the 400 Medley relay. With work to do in session two, the Blue and White tallied six more wins to seal their first victory over Pittsburgh since 2010.
This marks the first win for newly appointed head coach, Hollie Bonewit-Cron, on home turf. Bonewit-Cron led the Blue and White to a victory in her first meet in the driver's seat with a sweep of Navy on the road.
“I love being a Nittany Lion,” emphasized Bonewit-Cron. “I’m super excited because we were able to be here in our own unique environment, one that includes such a strong fan base especially.”
Men
Penn State added a dominant 1-2-3 finish in the 1000 Free. Junior Eduardo Cisternas touched first and swam for a time of 9:21.32, closely followed by freshman Rylan Anselm just a second behind with a 9:22.44, closed out with a third place finish from Jack Clancy, swimming for a 9:28.56 finish.
Alex Karahalis battled out a close race in the 200 IM for a first place finish and a time of 1:48.23. Sean Honey battled for a third place finish with a 1:50.83, followed by Matthew Bittner in fourth.
Sophomore Tylor Kim swam a 20.28 50 Free, good for a second place finish, one only six one-hundreths of a second behind the first place finisher.
Junior Eduardo Cisternas added another win on the day in the 200 Free with a time of 1:38.61, followed by a second place finisher in Tylor Kim who swam for a final time of 1:39.07.
The Blue and White posted another 1-2-3 finish in the 200 Fly, led by Sam Folger who touched first with a time of 1:49.24. Folger was trailed by Alex Karahalis in second, swimming for a time of 1:51.07, and closed out with a third place finish from Caden Davis who posted a 1:51.36 finish.
Former B1G Ten Champion Mariano Lazzerini added another victory for the Nittany Lions, touching first in the 200 Breast with a final time of 2:00.03.
Relays
The infamous 200 Medley relay team that gathered lots of national recognition is back yet again, looking to top their own school record time and generated success from last year. Touching first in their second consecutive meet, the relay consisting of Cooper Morley, Filipe Pinheiro, Matthew Bittner and Tylor Kim swam for a time of 1:27.20, good for a first place finish.
The 400 Free Relay starring Tylor Kim, Cooper Morley, Matthew Bittner and Eduardo Cisternas touched first with a final time of 2:58.69. Penn State added a third place finish as well, swimming for a final time of 3:03.01.
Diving
Hayden Elliot finished second in the three meter dive with a final score of 349.13.
Top Swims
1000 Free - Eduardo Cisternas (9:21.32)
200 IM - Alex Karahalis (1:48.23)
200 Free - Eduardo Cisternas (1:38.61)
200 Fly: Sam Folger (1:49.24)
200 Breast: Mariano Lazzerini (2:00.03)
Penn State will go on a two-week hiatus, before entering conference competition on the road against Ohio State on November 8th.
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