Swimwomen upset Tigers

Comebacks are a popular part of any sport's lore, especially if the underdog comes out on top. While this weekend's win may not go down in sports history, the Penn State women's swim team joined the likes of the 1969 New York Mets and this year's Denver Broncos by pulling off an upset of its own.

The Lady Lions overcame an early deficit to topple favored Princeton 169-129 Saturday night in New Jersey. Penn State (7-4, 1-4 Big Ten) handed the Lady Tigers their first loss of the season.

Princeton jumped out to an early lead after the diving competitions which were held before the swimming events.

"Princeton's diving squad was outstanding," Penn State coach Bob Krimmel said. "But (Penn State diver) Amy Wade stepped up nicely."

The Lion divers were still not at 100 percent against Princeton. Krimmel said sophomore Melanie Jackson was still bothered by a previous leg injury.

Trailing even before the first swimming event, Penn State quickly went to work by winning the first event, the 200 medley relay. Krimmel said Princeton was nationally ranked in this event and Penn State was not.

The relay team of Lesley Spada, Karna Lorhammer, Megan Smith and Laura Moletierre garnered a surprise first-place finish. Penn State also captured third place and began to erase Princeton's early lead.

It was all downhill for Princeton when the second event began. Penn State freshman Katie Anderson continued her exemplary performances with a first-place finish in the 1000-yard freestyle. Penn State junior Sami Bausher lopped off 14 seconds from her previous best time to grab third place.

"We knew we were behind which is an awkward way to start," Anderson said. "But we really took it to them once the swimming began."

Anderson, a New Jersey native, had competed numerous times at the Princeton pool during high school with her club team. She also had many relatives there to cheer for her and Penn State. They were not disappointed as she also won the 200-yard butterfly.

Penn State sophomore Sarah Jay then won the third event, the 200-yard freestyle, before Princeton won a swimming event.

Princeton senior Bess Frank kept her team close almost single-handedly. Frank won the 100-yard backstroke, which is her specialty, and narrowly edged out Penn State junior Arianne Adams in the 100-yard freestyle.

"We knew it would be close," Adams said. "But in the first three events we crushed them."

Adams also won both the remaining freestyle events.

Penn State, against a team Krimmel said was as good as Minnesota, showed excellent poise and was not rattled by Princeton's early lead. A healthy diving unit will only improve the Lions' recent string of victories.

"We just swam very fast," Krimmel said. "We had several season-best times and the team, overall, did an outstanding job."