Illinois (9-6, 5-4 Big Ten)

Last year at Big Tens: sixth place (270.0 points)

Against Penn State this season: did not meet

This season Illinois posted wins over Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa, Ohio State and Purdue. The Fighting Illini were unable to handle the toughest competition in the conference and fell to defending champion Michigan, Northwestern, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Indiana (6-5, 1-3)

Last year at Big Tens: fifth place (278.5 points)

Against Penn State this season: cancelled

Sophomore Jennifer Cristy continues to lead the Hoosiers as they head into this weekend's competition. Cristy is the Big Ten record holder in the 50-yard freestyle (22.26 seconds) which she set last year at Big Tens in Bloomington, Ind.

Iowa (8-4, 3-4)

Last year at Big Tens: seventh place (226.0 points)

Against Penn State this season: Won 131-112

Coach Mary Bolich was Penn State's assistant swimming coach from 1989-96. She and her Hawkeyes placed just nine points ahead of the Lady Lions at last year's Big Tens.

An individual leader for the Hawkeyes has been sophomore Loredana Zisu. She is this week's Big Ten Swimmer of the Week and hold numerous school records including the 200-yard individual medley (2:06.05).

Michigan (7-4, 5-1)

Last year at Big Tens: first place (788.5 points)

Against Penn State this season: Won 164-136

The No. 9 Wolverines will be going for their 13th consecutive conference title. The swimming and diving powerhouse boasts the fastest relay times in the 400-yard freestyle and medley, both set last year.

Senior Jennie Eberwein, last year's Swimmer of the Championship, is the three- time defending sprint champion and set the Big Ten record in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 49.07. Junior Shannon Shakespeare also holds Big Ten records in the 200-yard freestyle and individual medley.

Under Jim Richardson, five-time Coach of the Year, the Wolverines only lost to Minnesota in conference competition.

Michigan State (2-7, 0-7)

Last year at Big Tens: 10th place (165.0 points)

Against Penn State this season: Lost 149-93

The Spartans have struggled this season, losing to each of their Big Ten competitors -- Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Purdue.

Minnesota (7-11, 5-1)

Last year at Big Tens: second place (644.5 points)

Against Penn State this season: cancelled

No. 14 Minnesota not only has the home-pool advantage, its 5-1 Big Ten record puts it in excellent position to do well this weekend.

Diving is one of the strongest aspects of the Minnesota program. Diving coach K.Z. Li was named Coach of the Year last year and diver T.D. Rowe was last year's Diver of the Year and Diver of the Championship.

Northwestern (7-2, 5-1)

Last year at Big Tens: third place (388.0 points)

Against Penn State this season: Won 167-133

No. 12 Northwestern finished third last year at the Big Ten Championships but was nearly 250 points behind second-place Minnesota.

Junior Amy Balcerzak continues to be the swimmer to watch. She has earned Big Ten Swimmer of the Week honors this season, and helped lead her team to victory over Purdue, Penn State, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois, setting multiple pool records along the way.

Ohio State (8-5, 1-1)

Last year at Big Tens: ninth place (205.0 points)

Against Penn State this season: Lost 170-129

Ohio State ruled the Big Ten Championship from 1982-86. The Wolverines picked up where the Buckeyes left off and have continued to dominate since. Having faced only two Big Ten teams this season, the Buckeyes are looking to improve on their ninth-place finish last year, only 12 points behind Penn State.

Penn State (4-4, 2-3)

Last year at Big Tens: eighth place (217.0 points)

Under first-year swimming coach Bill Dorenkott, the Lady Lions are looking to better their eighth-place finish. The swimmers have been led by sophomore Katie Anderson who finished the season undefeated in Big Ten competition in the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyles.

Junior diver Jaime Jaax missed the past two Big Ten Championships because of a shoulder injury, but this year, after going undefeated on the one- and three-meter boards in Big Ten competition, she may make her mark on the diving record books.

Purdue (8-8, 3-5)

Last year at Big Tens: 11th place (153.5 points)

Against Penn State this season: did not meet

Finishing last in 1998 was a tough blow for the Boilermakers. This season didn't provide much encouragement as they fell to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Northwestern and Michigan. They did, however, pick up wins over Michigan State, Indiana and Iowa.

Wisconsin (5-2, 3-2)

Last year at Big Tens: fourth place (363.0 points)

Against Penn State this season: did not meet

Two swimmers have continued to lead No. 16 Wisconsin this season. Senior Gina Panighetti, last year's Big Ten Swimmer of the Year, helped her team defeat Iowa, Purdue and Illinois. Sophomore Ellen Stonebraker dominated last year's competition winning the 500- and 1,650-yard freestyles and also holds the Big Ten record for the 500-yard freestyle (4:42.28).