Jump into the blue -- both figuratively and literally for the Penn State women's swim team as it cruised to its first win last Thursday against annual border foe West Virginia.

The 2005 Big Ten champions picked up right where they left off last season, crushing the Mountaineers in a lopsided win of 165.5-67.5

"They did a little better than I expected," Penn State swimming coach Bill Dorenkott said. "They had really good times. I haven't looked at the video yet, though, to look at technique."

Penn State captured nine of 13 possible first places and often locked up the top three spots, making it hard for the West Virginia to compete with the loaded Lions.

"This year's team has terrific depth," Dorenkott said. "We have a big freshman class that is eager to compete."

While the team is in anything but a rebuilding year, the Lions still need to establish an identity for themselves to win their third Big Ten title in five years.

Despite the loss of Deirdre Dlugonski and Jennifer Eberst, two All-Americans from last year's squad, the team brings in a big group of eager freshmen.

"I don't see much weakness, but in a young group you have no sense of what we have," Dorenkott said. "We need to look to have an identity."

Sophomore Jill Heck turned in top times and was accompanied by juniors Jess Barnes and Nikki Collins who broke 10 minutes in the 1,000-meter freestyle.

"Nikki Collins had a good summer season and has been practicing and performing well lately," Dorenkott said.

While Penn State had no trouble capturing its first win of the season, Dorenkott, the 2005 Big Ten Coach of the Year, is quick to point out that the season lasts over a span of five months.

"That gives a long time to improve," he said. "The season goes into March and anything can happen by then."

The 2005 Big Ten champions didn't miss a beat over the summer months as the team made their mark nationally this summer.

Junior Margy Keefe took the silver in the 5K during last summer's FINA world championships in Canada. Keefe was the top finisher for the United States and proved to be the sleeper in a field of 28 and missed becoming Penn State's first-ever world champion swimmer by just four seconds.

"Margy swan wonderful this summer," Dorenkott said. "She is probably one of the most consistent swimmers we've had in the program. She brings it everyday."

The Lions leave on a four-day road trip at the end of October against Auburn and Arizona who took second and third place at last year's NCAA championship.