Two weeks ago, the first snowfall of the season hit Happy Valley. As students fought through the conditions on their way to class, the men's swimming team ignored the weather during a routine outdoor practice.

At 3 p.m. today at McCoy Natatorium, the team faces LaSalle University at home in its second meet of the season, hoping to reap the benefits of its hard work and dedication. This meet will provide a chance to see young swimmers compete for a chance to travel to the University of Virginia for the team's next competition.

Coaches plan to test the team by placing swimmers in events to which they are not accustomed.

"It will give us a chance to see some guys in different races that we normally would not see them in," Penn State men's swimming assistant coach John Hargis said. "We expect them to get up and race just like it was their best event."

The team is confident coming off a decisive win over West Virginia, in which the Nittany Lions were led by their senior leaders. With a team consisting of 16 freshmen, Hargis knows that teaching and senior leadership will be major factors this season.

"The seniors have been around and seen it all," Hargis said. "It is their job to help the younger guys. This is their team, and they need to take the reins."

Co-captains Christopher Ippoliti and Richard Kornacki are the two seniors chosen to take on the responsibility. Ippoliti competes in four events, excelling in freestyle and breaststroke. Kornacki swims butterfly and individual medley and has hopes of reaching the finals in the Big Ten individual competition.

"I am hoping for a finals win at the Big Ten," Kornacki said. "But I would rather see the team finish in the top five of the Big Ten. I want to end my senior year on a good note."

In addition to the responsibility taken on by the seniors, Hargis is impressed with the way the team has come together. The camaraderie has been great, and the swimmers are treating each other more like brothers than teammates, according to Hargis.

Today's meet will be a preview of how the team chemistry will carry over when it comes time to compete. Kornacki looks forward to the meet as a way to assess the team's progress thus far.

Last year, the men finished 29th in the NCAA Championships and eighth in the Big Ten overall. With a large group of talented freshmen and veteran seniors Adam Pierce, Shawn McLin, Ippoliti and Kornacki, the team expects those rankings to improve.

"Every team is different, but this is one of the closest teams I have seen," Hargis said. "They are more of a family. They know their agenda, and that is the Big Ten."