This past weekend the Penn State men's swimming team traveled to Long Island, N.Y. to compete in the 2001 U.S. Open. Featuring some of the top collegiate and independent swimmers from around the world, 800 swimmers met in this three-day event.

The 400-meter Freestyle relay team, comprised of senior Bob Molettiere, junior Eugene Botes, senior Martin Schierhorn and sophomore Todd Minnier, took first place, representing the best finish by the Nittany Lions in the weekend's competition.

Molettiere felt the relay team had the potential to be one of the top relay teams at the meet, but didn't expect a first place finish.

"It got us really excited and showed what we can do as a relay team," he said. "First place just shows that we still had the energy to swim well even though it was the last event of the meet. We're not just a one-day team."

The top finishes from his swimmers did not seem to surprise head coach Bob Dorenkott.

"I think the relay team is talented and capable of achieving at a high level," he said. "Talent and hard work are the keys to getting it done. To be the best, you need to have both. We've had success at the conference and national level, so relay-wise, we've stepped it up and gotten it done."

Junior Brent Creager placed 15th in the 200-meter Butterfly.

"I wasn't expecting such a high finish, but I was definitely proud of it. I swam a smart race and was happy with how I did," he said. "Knowing that so many other top teams were there made this even more exciting."

Dorenkott, who has been stressing the importance of doing well in Big Ten's and NCAA's, was just using this meet as an opportunity to gauge training and sharpen skills.

"Currently, we're transitioning into another phase of training that is centered around championships," he said.

Sophomore Andrew Hartner felt that despite all the high intensity work that they've been putting in at practice, the team was able to come out an perform.

"I was tired from all the work we've been doing in practice, but just comparing times at this time last year, we're doing better," Hartner said.

This weekend marked the final competition for the team before the semester break. The team will resume competition on Jan. 5 at Florida.