For the past three years, the men's swimming and diving team has alternated victories with the Pitt team. According to that structure, the Lions were due to lose Saturday at Trees Pool.

But Penn State (2-3) slayed the Panthers, 151-92, a healthy 59-point margin.

"It was a very solid team effort from top to bottom," Coach Peter Brown said. "This was the first time Penn State has beaten Pitt back to back."

Senior Dave Rafferty and junior Steve Wukitch led the Lions, taking two races each. Rafferty won the 200- and 100-meter freestyle events in 1:42.6 and 46.1 seconds, respectively, and Wukitch finished first in the 200 breaststroke in 2:07.2 and also won the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:55.5.

Penn State displayed great strength and plenty of depth in the 200 individual medley. Wukitch, Nick Boyce, Craig Dies and Bart Kimble blanked the Panthers by finishing first, second, third and fourth, respectively.

Freshman Boyce started the meet by leading his 400 medley relay team to a quick victory in 3:24.5 with the help of teammates Wukitch, Rafferty and Brian Wentzel.

"My 100 backstroke time was much faster than ever before," Boyce said of his effort in the relay. "It was a good meet, but I am actually surprised at how easily we won."

Brent Matheson capped the victory by swimming the final leg of the winning 400 freestyle relay team. Matheson, a senior, was aided by Jack Moss, Mike Miklus and Walt Sopp.

"We were confident we could do well, but we knew we had to be on top of our game to win the meet," Matheson said, adding that Penn State's relay teams are very competitive due to the high level of ability on the team.

The Lions won nine of 11 swimming events and nine of the 13 total events.

Other winners from Penn State included: Brad Semle, 1000 free, 9:29.9; Eric Becher, 200 butterfly, 1:54.3; and Philip Meyer, 500 free, 4:37.6.

Diver Mike Westwood, a sophomore, placed second in one-meter diving with 261.60 and third on the three-meter board with 257 points.

Penn State will travel to the University of Virginia next Saturday to face the Cavaliers in what is expected to be an even more intense meet than the match-up last year, which the Lions won.

"Virginia is ranked 13th in the nation this year, but the decisive win against Pitt should help us build the confidence to win the meet," Assistant Coach Janie Brown said.