The men's swimming team had two goals for the Nittany Lion Invitational Saturday -- lowering its times in the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay.

And although the Lions fell short in accomplishing these goals, Coach Peter Brown was happy with his team's performance.

"I'm real proud of what they did," Brown said. "There wasn't much excitement or competition to push them (the swimmers). Considering these circumstances, I thought they did a great job."

Penn State topped Villanova, 32-21, swimming in just seven events in an invitational both teams used to try and set qualifying times for NCAA Championships.

The 200 relay team was aiming to lower its time to 1 minute, 30 seconds, while the 400 relay team was shooting for a time of 2:59.

Gene Lupinski, James Sloat, Thad Davis and Adam Carroll made the first of their two runs in the 200 medley relay, finishing at 1:31.64. After the the 400 free relay team of Carroll, Curt Sawin, Tim Boyd and Davis recorded a 3:00.45, the 200 medley relay team took a second crack at lowering its time. The team lowered its time to 1:31.32. but it was still beyond the desired time of 1:30.

The competition, or lack thereof, didn't help the Lions' chances, junior co-captain Carroll said.

"I think it (not swimming against anybody) definitely hurt both relay teams," he said. "Obviously when you swim against someone else, you rise to the level of competition."

Now the Lions must play the waiting game. Brown conceded that the 400 free relay team will not qualify for the NCAAs, but he believes the 200 medley relay team still has a chance. This chance hinges on what transpires at the Eastern Swimming League Championships on March 12.

"If nobody beats us at Easterns, our chances (of qualifying for the NCAAs) are enhanced," Brown said. "But if a couple of teams beat us at Easterns, we're out."

The only other events that the Lions competed in at McCoy Natatorium were the 50 free and the 100 fly. Freshman Derek Fogg swam in both events. Fogg was not attempting to qualify for the NCAAs, Brown said, he was swimming "to get the competition." Fogg will compete in a meet with a club team in his hometown of West Orange, N.J., in a couple of weeks.