Finishing off its season with a bang, the women's synchronized swimming team took second place at Collegiate Regionals and fifth place at Collegiate Nationals.

Eastern Regionals were held at the Keuka College, N.Y., the weekend before Spring Break. Penn State was defeated in a close meet by Millersville, which scored 93 points to Penn State's 91.5.

In figures, novices Sarah Schano, Alise Reynolds, Melanie Lynch and Maurie Hayes placed second, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively. Junior figures saw Shelly Niggel take seventh place, and Paige Lehr captured first in the senior figures.

In routines, the A-team placed third and B-team fifth. Lehr gained another first in her solo, while duets of Heather Kincaid and Niggel and Tina Dietrich and Lynch placed third and fifth, respectively. The trio of Kincaid, Reynolds and Schano also took a third.

Co-captain Kincaid said it was a disappointing meet, adding that her duet did not perform well.

"We had many mishaps," Kincaid said, "so many things (in our routine) didn't work."

Tables were turned though as the synchro women scored fifth place in Collegiate Nationals, held March 18-21 at Wheaton College in Boston. Twenty-three teams competed in the event, with first place honors going to Ohio State, which outscored the second place team by 25 points.

"Ohio State has an edge because they are a fully funded varsity sport," Assistant Coach Brenda Kline said. "All their swimmers have at least 15 years of experience."

Kline said that the loss to Millersville in Regionals gave Penn State energy to fight to regain its supremacy in nationals . . . which it did.

In a reversal of fortunes, Penn State toppled Millersville by a point and a half, the scores being 32.5 to 31, respectively.

The team was not expecting to do this well, due to the inexperience of most of its swimmers, Kline said. It got fifth place last season, but with a lot more experienced members.

"We were shocked. We never expected (the fifth place finish). It was a great surprise," Kline said.

In the solo routine, Lehr took seventh place, and her swim in senior figures allowed the team to take seventh place in overall figures. In the routines division, the A-team placed ninth and B-team 12th. The trios of Kincaid, Schano and Reynolds and Niggel, Lynch and Dietrich placed 10th and 11th, repectively.

"We had our best performance ever (of the season)," Kincaid said. "Everything came together for the first time, and we had as close as possible to flawless performances."

Looking back on the season, Coach Mary Beth Rader-Allegar said that the team's ability and willingness to train was beyond all expectations. Rader-Allegar hopes to maintain the team's current standards next season, continuing the high level of motivation and enthusiasm.

Although the team's season is officially over, it is having exhibition meets April 3 and 4 in the Natatorium at 8 p.m. The charge is $2 for students.