The men's swimming and diving team hopes to cannonball its way through West Virginia University tonight in its season opener.

The team has only three regular season home meets this winter, so they have to get ready to make a big splash in their opponents' territory. Their first home meet is not until Dec. 2 against West Chester. However, this evening the team starts its season against WVU.

"They [WVU] are going to be outstanding," head coach Bill Dorenkott said. "This will be a good benchmark to where we are now in our training and see how we compete."

Senior co-captain Dan Kaiserian said Penn State beat WVU all three years he has been swimming, and he would like to make it a fourth.

This will be Dorenkott's eighth consecutive year as the women's swimming coach and the fifth year as head swimming coach for the men and he is excited to see how far the team can go.

"There are about five or six sprinters, or short distance swimmers, that have made a dramatic step forward this summer," Dorenkott said. This will help contribute to the team and individual times. He added that the swim team has a good core of distance swimmers.

Last year, Penn State did not have any NCAA qualifiers, but there are high hopes on the team to get some representation for Penn State this year.

The swimmers are not holding anything back this year, as four men have akready made qualifying times for the upcoming 2008 United States Olympic trials.

"We have a good shot to get all three NCAA relays in this year," Kaiserian said.

"I am pleased to have a great group of guys that take academics very seriously along with improving in the pool," Dorenkott said.