Tim Murphy Era Begins at Penn State With Two Wins Over West Virginia

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, October 18. THE Tim Murphy era in Penn State swimming and diving officially kicked off today with the first dual meet of the season, with the Nittany Lions men’s and women’s swimming teams racing against West Virginia.

The meet started Murphy on a winning streak, as the men beat West Virginia 161-127 and the women won with a score of 152-102. Penn State won all the swimming events but allowing West Virginia to rack up the points with exhibition swims in the final seven events. West Virginia swept the diving competition.

Penn State sophomore and Duel in the Pool team member Shane Ryan stayed away from his pet event, the 200 backstroke, racing in the 50 free and 100 fly instead. Ryan’s 20.53 in the 50 was second to teammate John Hauser’s 20.14, and his 50.68 exhibition swim in the 200 fly was third-fastest behind Sean Grier’s 48.10 exhibition swim and West Virginia’s Bryce Bohman’s 49.69.

In addition to winning the 50 free, Hauser won the 100 free with a 44.39. In Ryan’s place, Nate Savoy won the 200 backstroke with a 1:47.39. Other top winners in the men’s meet included Matt Salig in the 200 butterfly (1:48.65) and Sean Grier in the 100 back (48.30) in a close race with Savoy (48.45) and Bohman (48.73).

In the women’s meet, Penn State sophomore Kaitlin Jones — not to be confused with Virginia freshman and former 200 IM national high school record holder Kaitlyn Jones — won two events today. She started with a 1:50.09 in the 200 free to just beat out teammates Caitlyn Karr (1:50.40) and Alyson Ackman (1:50.86). She came back for a more decisive win in the 100 free with a 51.33.

Melissa Rodriguez and Katie Rowe were also double winners for the Nittany Lions. Rodriguez took the 100 breast in 1:04.29 then won the 200 breast with a 2:18.87. As for Rowe, she posted wins in the 200 fly (2:00.48) and 200 back (2:03.00).

Notably, West Virginia was unable to field swimmers for the women’s 200 backstroke and women’s 200 IM, but had a strong swim from Julie Ogden to get first place points in the 100 fly with a 57.96.

Full results available by clicking the link below.

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