Swimmen split pair of meets

By ANTHONY MILLER
Collegian Staff Writer

Home sweet home.

That is how the Penn State men's swimming and diving team feels about University Park after traveling more than 1,250 miles by bus during the weekend to compete in two challenging Big Ten conference meets against Indiana and No. 7 Michigan.

"The long trip and two tough meets were the kinds of challenges you need to grow as a team," Penn State coach Peter Brown said.

Led by junior freestyler Holden Comeau, who won both the 200-yard freestyle (1:40.76) and 100-yard freestyle (46.13), the Nittany Lions defeated the Hoosiers 143-100 Friday at the Counsilman and Billingsley Aquatic Center by winning eight of the 13 events.

Comeau was strong individually, and with teammates in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The team, comprised of Dan Okoniewski, Brian Hostetler, Comeau and John Retrum, won the relay in 3:06.30.

Indiana was led by its divers. Hoosier divers took the top three places in both the one- and three-meter events. Mike Collier was the top finisher on both boards.

Saturday's meet at Michigan proved to be more difficult for the Lions.

The Wolverines, winners of 30 Big Ten titles in their rich history, used their Senior Day festivities to provide extra incentive to defeat Penn State 148-95 and keep their 17-year home winning streak alive.

"When you look at the numbers, that was their best meet against anybody this year," Brown said. "It is tough to go against that."

Okoniewski agreed with his coach.

"Michigan had to bring their best in order to beat us," he said.

Despite the loss to Michigan, the Lions were happy with their weekend.

"We were disappointed to lose one of the meets, but it gives us a good sense of where we are," Brown said. "Each meet is a stepping stone that you use to grow."

"Michigan is one of the top teams in the country," swimmer Steve Medei said. "They were a gauge for us to see where we are."

The Lions will now use the next two weeks to prepare for their meets against Ohio State and Iowa, Jan. 29 and 30 at McCoy Natatorium.

By then they hope to prove there is truly no place like home.