UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, June 18. THE Penn State women\u2019s swimming and diving program and head coach Tim Murphy have inked six new swimmers and divers for the 2014-15 campaign. The class is full of local talent with five Pennsylvania products and one student-athlete from Virginia.<\/p>\n
The new class includes Pennsylvanians Alyssa Bixler (York, Pa.), Tommie Dillion (Newtown,Pa.) McKayla Mawn (Kennett Square, Pa.), Niki Price (Manchester, Pa.) and Tara Rogers (Lansdale, Pa.) while Hannah Harper joins the Nittany Lions from Charlottesville, Virginia.<\/p>\n
Alyssa Bixler<\/strong> Honors and Highlights: Swam for Dallastown Area High School and head coach Richard Howley \u2026 Three-time York County YAIAA Swimmer of the Year \u2026 Owns the school record in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 500 freestyle and was a member of the school-record breaking 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams \u2026 PIAA Class AAA finalist in the 50 free at the 2014 state championships \u2026 Named team captain prior to her senior campaign \u2026 Also swam for the York YMCA club team under head coach Michael Brooks.<\/p>\n On Choosing Penn State: \u201cI love everything that Penn State has to offer. I fell head over heels for the campus, the atmosphere, the team, the school itself and, especially, the Penn State pride. I am so excited to be a part of the Nittany Lion swimming and diving family.\u201d<\/p>\n Tommie Dillione<\/strong> Honors and Highlights: Swam for Council Rock North High School and head coach Ted Schueller \u2026 PIAA Class AAA Champion in the 200 freestyle in 2014 \u2026 Finished third at the state championships in the 500 freestyle \u2026 Garnered All-America status in the 200 and 500 freestyle \u2026 School record holder in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 freestyle as well as the 200 and 400 freestyle relays \u2026 Voted team MVP by her teammates all four seasons \u2026 Also swam for the Eastern Express club team \u2026 Was a Junior National qualifier in the 100 and 200 freestyle.<\/p>\n On Choosing Penn State: \u201cI chose Penn State for the great balance of competitive athletics and academics. Along with this, the team and coaching staff could not be better.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah Harper<\/strong> Honors and Highlights: Swam for Albemarle High School and head coach JJ Bean \u2026 Owns the school record in the 100 butterfly and 200 IM and was a member of the school-record setting 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay teams \u2026 Named team captain prior to her senior season \u2026 Two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American \u2026 Member of state champion 400 freestyle relay team and runner-up 200 freestyle relay team at the 2014 Virginia class 5A state championships \u2026 Finished third in the 100 butterfly at the state championships in her senior campaign \u2026 Named team MVP as a junior \u2026 Also swam for the Virginia Gators swimming club \u2026 Has qualified for the NSCA Junior Nationals in six different events.<\/p>\n On Choosing Penn State: \u201cI chose Penn State because of the outstanding academic and athletic opportunities offered as well as the unmatched team and school spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n McKayla Mawn<\/strong> Honors and Highlights: Competed at Unionville High School under head coach Billy Gordon \u2026 Owns the school record for diving \u2026 District qualifier all four seasons \u2026 Competed at the 2013 USA Diving Nationals \u2026 Also a member of the West Chester Diving club team.<\/p>\n On Choosing Penn State: \u201cI chose Penn State because of the great academics and athletics. The school spirit was also another amazing aspect.\u201d<\/p>\n Niki Price<\/strong> Highlights and Honors: Swam for Northeastern Senior High School and head coach Dan Schaberle \u2026 Currently holds the school record in every event \u2026 Two-time PIAA Class AAA Champion in the 100 butterfly \u2026 Two-time All-American in the 100 butterfly \u2026 Named a YAIAA All-Star at the end of her junior and senior seasons \u2026 Selected as team MVP in 2013 \u2026 Also swam for the York YMCA club team under head coach Michael Brooks \u2026 Member of the 800 freestyle relay squad that broke the Junior National record in 2013 \u2026 Two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.<\/p>\n On Choosing Penn State: \u201cI chose Penn State because I feel like it was the best fit for me, both academically and athletically. This is a unique school in that it has both a great swimming and diving program as well a great academic program. It felt like home when I walked on campus which was very important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Tara Rogers<\/strong> Highlights and Honors: Swam for North Penn High School and head coach Matt Weiser \u2026 Member of the school-record setting 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams \u2026 Three-time team MVP \u2026 Earned All-State recognition in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays all four seasons \u2026 State finalist in the 200 and 500 freestyle her junior and senior campaigns \u2026 Also swam for the North Penn Aquatic Club.<\/p>\n On Choosing Penn State: \u201cSince both of my parents are Penn State alumni, I grew up attending football games, getting decked out in Penn State gear and eating creamery ice cream. They introduced me to the tradition of academic and athletic excellence that is Penn State University. Meeting the team and coaches and seeing the supportive family atmosphere proved that there was no other school for me. PSU will allow me to pursue both my academic and athletic goals.\u201d<\/p>\n The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, June 18. THE Penn State women\u2019s swimming and diving program and head coach Tim Murphy have inked six new swimmers and divers for the 2014-15 campaign. 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\n York, Pa. \u2022 Dallastown Area HS \u2022 York YMCA<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n Newtown, Pa. \u2022 Council Rock North HS \u2022 Eastern Express<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n Charlottesville, Va. \u2022 Albemarle HS \u2022 Virginia Gators<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n Kennett Square, Pa. \u2022 Unionville HS \u2022 West Chester Diving<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n Manchester, Pa. \u2022 Northeastern Senior HS \u2022 York YMCA<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n Lansdale, Pa. \u2022 North Penn HS \u2022 North Penn Aquatic Club<\/strong><\/p>\n