Frank Lloyd Wright might be able to take a few lessons from the Penn State women's swimming team.

During the three-day Auburn Invitational that ended on Saturday, the No. 16 Nittany Lions showed that they are architects of their own designs, achieving a number of wins, season bests, and NCAA cut times.

In working toward the long-term goal of Big Ten and NCAA Championship meets, this meet was something of a kick start for a team that had only competed in single-day dual meets.

"We started off really well, and I think we kinda lost the spirit, [but] came back really strong," sophomore Margy Keefe said. "It's something that we need to get used to."

Individual results were mixed, as more than half a dozen swimmers grabbed multiple B cuts, and the Lions posted several victories against members of a quick and accomplished Auburn squad.

"Not everyone was pleased, but you're gonna have that," senior Courtney Stanchock said.

Stanchock said that facing such a formidable squad was more a benefit than intimidating.

"I think it makes you a better athlete," Stanchock said. "It's just like a practice meet for later in the season."

Stanchock appears to have benefited from the competition, touching out over Olympic gold medalist Kirsty Coventry in the 200-yard breaststroke with a B cut time of 2:16.87. Stanchock also made a B cut in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:03.28) and the 400-yard medley relay team. That relay team of Stanchock, senior Dee Dlugonski, junior Sarah Haupt and sophomore Amberle Bierdermann won with a time of 3:45.09.

Keefe turned in an especially outstanding performance, achieving an "A" cut time of 16:22.39 in the 1,650-yard freestyle, which automatically qualifies her for a spot in the NCAA championship meet. She also swam to a "B" cut time in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:49.71.

Keefe's accomplishment is a microcosm of the swim team's weekend, which was all about meeting goals. It was a preseason goal of hers to make her cut in the 1,650 at this meet, so that she could focus completely on training.

As for the team, goals of the weekend were season-best times and achieving championship-qualifying cut times. In constantly looking forward, the even-keeled team keeps from basking too much in recent glories.

"When we wanna be fast," Stanchock said, "we will be fast."

Haupt and senior Kristen Woodring also turned in notable performances.

Haupt won the 100-yard backstroke in 55.90, a B cut. In addition to the 400-yard medley relay, she was part of the winning 200-yard medley relay, which swam a B cut time of 1:42.28, and achieved a B cut in the 100-yard backstroke in 55:12.

Woodring chalked up two victories as part of the 200-yard medley relay and 100-yard breaststroke with the B cut time of 1:03.22.

Senior diver Alison Riccobono won the 3-meter event with a score of 597.66. In the 1-meter competition, she placed second with a 536.70.

The remainder of the Lions' schedule, which picks up again at Miami in January, consists of only two dual meets until a series of multi-team, multi-day meets from late January until the end of the season.

"I don't think it will be a problem. We'll be pumped up throughout," Keefe said.