Swimwomen to experiment with lineup against St. Francis

The Penn State women's swim team won't worry if its coach roots for its opponent tonight, because it will be in a different sport.

-- Erica Van Tassel, senior captain

Krimmel's son, Robbie, is a sophomore guard on the St. Francis team. He is there on an athletic scholarship. Krimmel's two younger sons also play basketball at other levels.

After an exhausting double-meet weekend, the Lions might enjoy watching a sporting event for a change. Penn State coach Bob Krimmel and team members said the St. Francis meet will also give them a chance to do some different things.

"We need to have a meet to shift some players into different events," Krimmel said. "It comes at a good time since we don't have any competition this weekend."

The team's next meet won't be until Saturday, Jan. 31, when it travels to New Jersey to take on Princeton. This weekend is the only weekend during the regular season the team won't compete.

Penn State will use the meet against the Red Flash to experiment.

"Swimmers who normally don't compete will get a chance," senior captain Erica Van Tassel said. "We will highlight other swimmers."

Van Tassel added the regular starters will compete in events they don't specialize in. She said she might swim the backstroke instead of her normal routine of the butterfly.

The team should feel confident against St. Francis. Penn State is undefeated against non-conference opponents. The team has also proven it can stay close to, if not defeat, top-ranked teams.

However, Penn State only has one Big Ten win -- against Purdue -- this season. This might prove irrelevant if the team can do well at the Big Ten Championships Feb. 19-21 in Bloomington, Ind.

Penn State's final regular season competition, a home meet, will come against Iowa Feb. 7.

For now, Penn State has to deal with the Red Flash and institute some minor retooling for the long stretch. The meet, the third for the team in six days, doesn't bother anyone.

"We should be able to get up and swim." junior Lesley Spada said. "It is always fun to swim in different events."