Swimwomen face former coach

By JENNIFER BARTOLINI
Collegian Staff Writer

Tomorrow's women's swimming and diving matchup between Penn State (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) and Iowa (7-4) will be a time to deal with unresolved emotions.

First, not many Lady Lions will soon forget last year's Big Ten Championships that ended with the Hawkeyes in seventh place, just nine points ahead of the eighth-place Penn State team. That result left the scars of a rivalry unsettled and Penn State is out to avenge those nine points at noon tomorrow at Fieldhouse Pool in Iowa City, Iowa.

The second emotion the Lions will be feeling is reminiscence. Mary Bolich, Iowa's head coach, was the assistant women's swimming coach at Penn State for seven years from 1989-1996. So for many current Lions, they will be faced with the daunting challenge of using what she taught them against her.

"She's an incredible coach," said senior swimmer Arianne Adams, who swam for Bolich during her freshman season at Penn State. "But I want to beat her because now I'm Penn State and she's Iowa."

Bolich was responsible for coaching numerous All-Americans at Penn State, including Fran McDermid, the current Penn State assistant women's swimming coach.

"I have the utmost respect for (Bolich)," said McDermid. "I was lucky enough to have her as a coach for four years. A lot of what I know, I learned from her."

This won't be the first meeting between the two teams since Bolich's departure. One year ago Sunday, the Penn State community welcomed Bolich back to McCoy Natatorium and the Lions delivered a 173-124 win over her Hawkeye team.

This year, however, the Lions will travel to Bolich's new home to face a more confident and adjusted team. Iowa most recently defeated Michigan State and Indiana in a double dual meet last Saturday. It was victorious 128-115 against Indiana and 154-89 against the Spartans.

At the meet, 14 Hawkeyes posted season-best times and eight scored career bests. Sophomore Loredana Zisu will be tough competition for the Lions. She holds Fieldhouse Pool records for both the 100- and 200-yard butterfly.

Penn State swimming coach Bill Dorenkott is excited for this final matchup before the Big Ten Championships. He said the team he is taking to Iowa is similar to the one that will go to Big Tens, so this will give it a chance to sharpen skills and zone in on tuning up a few things.

The divers will have to dive well to defeat Iowa, said Penn State diving coach Craig Brown. He said two of the Big Ten finalists from last year, Sara Wolchko and Kelly Tellschow, will be the greatest challenges to the Penn State unit.

"Jaime (Jaax) should be able to handle them," he said. "I need all them (Ame Bascomb and Melanie Jackson) to dive well also."

Through the drama and emotion of Saturday's meet, Bolich sees a definite positive in her former relationship with Penn State.

"It's good," she said, "to know your competition."