Columbus, Ohio -- The Penn State women's swimming and diving overcame a 10th place standing after the first day to capture its second consecutive Big Ten championship at Ohio State's McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion this weekend.
The conference title is the program's third since 2002 under Coach Bill Dorenkott. The Big Ten crown is Penn State's sixth during 2005-06, a school record.
After finishing the opening night in 10th place, the No. 14 Nittany Lions moved into fourth place after Thursday's competition and grabbed the lead after Friday's events. Penn State held a two point lead over Michigan entering Saturday's events, but had three swimmers finish ninth or higher in three of the five individual swimming events Saturday night to open a lead over the Wolverines and Minnesota as the night progressed.
Penn State finished with 552 points, followed by the Golden Gophers (536.5) and Michigan (509).
The Nittany Lions held a 33.5 point lead over Minnesota entering the 200 butterfly, the final individual swimming event of the night. In the 200 Fly, Penn State scored 37 points to open up a 63.5 point lead heading into platform diving and the 400 free relay. Freshman Kelly Nelson (West Chester, Pa) was second in 1:59.32, freshman Karie Haglund (Marietta, Ga.) was sixth in 2:00.84 and senior Amberlee Biedermann (Colorado Springs, Colo.) was ninth with a time of 2:00.98.
Penn State began Saturday night with an outstanding effort in the 1650 free, taking four of the top nine spots and earning 56 points. Junior Nikki Collins (Carmel, Ind.) was second in 16:25.79, senior Patty Murphy (Medford, N.J.) was fifth in 16:29.84, junior Megan Palera (Santa Maria, Calif.) was sixth in 16:37.10 and freshman Jaime Keily (Houston, Texas) was ninth in 16:46.90,
In the 200 back, junior Erin Morris (Fort Wayne, Ind.) led the charge, finishing second with an NCAA "A" qualifying time of 1:57.25. Senior Sarah Haupt (Carlisle, Pa.), who won the 100 back on Friday, was fifth with a time of 2:00.08 and junior Jessica Barnes (Glenmoore, Pa.) was eighth in 2:00.91.
In the 200 breast, freshman Abby Hoisington (Leawood, Kansas) was third with a time of 2:16.61.
The Nittany Lions essentially had the title wrapped-up after the 200 fly. In the final event, the 400 free relay unit of Nelson, Morris, Biedermann and Haupt placed 10th with a time of 3:25.45.
The NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships will be held March 16-18 at Athens, Ga.
Team Standings - Final
1. Penn State (552)
2. Minnesota (536.5)
3. Michigan (509)
4. Indiana (495)
5. Purdue (428)
6 Wisconsin (358)
7. Ohio State (258)
8. Northwestern (244.5)
9. Illinois (207)
10. Iowa (163.5)
11. Michigan State (102.5)