Call it a clean sweep.

Consider it a continuation of what has been happening all season; the driving force which has led the men's swimming and diving team to its best success in years, and the same thing which carried them through their latest two meets after three weeks of winter workouts.

With victories over Maryland-Baltimore County on Jan. 6 and archrival Pitt Saturday night Penn State raised its record to 5-0.

"We did as well as I thought considering that we were just getting back from workouts," Coach Peter Brown said. "(The meets) really reflected all the work we put in."

Against Maryland-Baltimore County, the Lions won easily, 145-90, with solid swims in all of the events.

Freshman Kirk Skoglund, swimming off his regular events, won the 200-meter freestyle and 200 breaststroke, while sophomore Adam Carroll won the 50 freestyle and 200 butterfly.

Coach Brown said that although several Lion swimmers were ill with the flu, the team swam extremely well using their depth to overwhelm an undermanned Maryland-Baltimore County team.

Saturday night Penn State easily beat cross-state rival Pitt, 145-96, winning nine of 11 events and avenging last year's home loss to the Panthers which came down to the final event.

"I was a little unsure going into the meet that we might not swim up to our potential," Brown said. "But the meet wasn't as challenging as I thought, mostly because we were very consistent, as we have been all season."

Against the Panthers, the relay teams continued to dominate, while freshmen Stuart Watson and Lucas Shelly turned in their strongest performances of the season.

Shelly, who has steadily improved throughout the season, won the 1000 freestyle and his time qualified him for the Eastern championships in the event.

Senior co-captain Walt Sopp, had one of his strongest showings, winning the 50 and 100 freestyle at Pitt after winning the 200 backstroke and 200 butterfly against UMBC the previous week.

Sopp believes the team is in prime physical condition and is looking forward to the remaining meets.

"Since I've been here we've never been in this good of shape at this point in the season," Sopp said.

The diving team, which spent its break working out at McCoy Natatorium, had two strong meets, scoring well in each. Jeff Eagles, who missed the first three meets of the season and the Princeton Invitational with an ear infection, returned to the team, stronger and healthier than when he left with the injury.

"Eagles really assumed the leadership role on the team and set the tone for everyone," diving coach Craig Brown said.

The divers scored well on both the 1-and 3-meter boards with Chris Devine and Steve Zamborsky finishing second and third in both events, respectively.

Craig Brown said that the divers started well, and turned well in the air, but weren't able to get their "dives in the water" -- landing -- well for scores.

"I was very pleased technically and mechanically," he said, "but we didn't do enough physically."

As the team heads to Virginia for a dual meet next Saturday, Peter Brown is enthusiastic.

"At this point we're healthier than we've ever been, with our best lineup in years," he said. "We're getting good leadership from our captains, and I'm looking forward to the future."