Ryan Smith is still alone atop the diving boards for the men's swimming and diving team.

Once again, he is facing some of the best divers in the country.

And once again, he is ready to tackle the challenge that awaits him -- this time at the Big Ten Championships on March 4-6.

"Ryan's about as ready as he's going to be," Diving Coach Craig Brown said.

This will be Smith's first trip to Big Tens. The Lions opted to bring two more-experienced divers last year, neither of whom are competing this season.

Smith said he is a little wary of the meet.

"I'm not sure what to expect," he said. "I want to do what I can and not worry about anybody else.

"I've been told that everyone goes into the meet nervous. They think you have to do every dive perfect in order to do well -- there's so much pressure."

Therefore, Smith said he will take another approach into the meet.

"I want to go in, have a good time, have fun and see what I can do," he said.

Brown said Smith's mental approach will be important.

"It could be intimidating," Brown said. "Interaction between dives with teammates is more relaxing, and Ryan's not going to have anybody there. Mentally, it's an interesting call, but Ryan has the ability to step it up a notch in competition."

Due to injuries to Chris Devine and freshman Henry Chanin, the sophomore has carried on his shoulders the burden of being the only Penn State diver. He has even competed on several occasions without Brown at poolside, and he has done so admirably, the coach said.

"Ryan's a very, very stable competitor," Brown said. "He does a lot by himself. I knew if I wasn't there at a meet he'd be able to do it on his own.

"He's as solid in his fundamentals and techniques as ever. We've just got to get him polished up -- his entry is not as smooth as it could be."

Brown said he likes Smith's chances at the championships.

"There's no way he'll make the top four or five -- they're just in a class by themselves," Brown said. "But if he has a good day, he'll be right in the thick of the points race."

In order to qualify for NCAA Championships, Smith will need to finish among the top five in total points for both boards at the NCAA Diving Prequalification Meet, held in Pittsburgh one week after the Big Tens. Smith seemed confident of his chances.

"In the Big Ten, there's much better competition than there will be at the prequals," Smith said. "They're not going to be at the same level (Big Ten divers) are."

"He's going to put pressure on a lot of people," Brown said. "In a competition where the chips are down, he's a tough, tough competitor."