After a month-long break, the Penn State swimming and diving teams dove back into action with a splash that could rival a cannonball contest at a summer pool party. Competing against the formidable Northwestern and the University of Chicago, the Nittany Lions showed that they were not just treading water but were ready to make waves. With the men’s team holding a 2-1 record and the women’s team at 1-2, it was a chance for both squads to flip the script and swim their way to victory. You could say they were swimming with the sharks, but thankfully, they came out on top!
The men’s team kicked things off with a stunning performance in the 200-yard medley relay, led by Tylor Kim, who swam like he was being chased by a shark, clocking in a split of 19.42 seconds. The relay team, which also included Matthew Bittner, Mariano Lazzerini, and Cooper Morely, won by a mere 0.06 seconds. Talk about cutting it close! Meanwhile, Lazzerini didn’t just stop at the relay; he also took home gold in the 200-yard breaststroke, proving that he’s not just a one-trick pony. And let’s not forget about Jack Harvey, who swam the 100-yard backstroke faster than you can say ‘cannonball,’ finishing with a time of 48.41 seconds.
On the women’s side, Margaret Markvardt was the star of the show, finishing first in both the 100-yard back and the 100-yard butterfly. It’s safe to say she was flying through the water like a dolphin on a mission. The women’s diving team also made a splash, with freshman Grace Brammer taking first place in the 3-meter event. As the Nittany Lions prepare to face Princeton and Virginia Tech next, one thing is clear: they’re not just swimming; they’re making a statement. For more on their upcoming matches, check out our article on [Penn State’s upcoming challenges](https://www.psucollegian.com/sports/swim_dive/penn-state-swimming-and-diving-gets-set-to-kick-off-2025-vs-northwestern-u-of/article_cbb9c0a8-cf73-11ef-8da7-6765f5397358.html) and [the last meet against Pittsburgh](https://www.psucollegian.com/sports/swim_dive/penn-state-swimming-and-diving-triumphs-in-return-to-action/article_d9f89fd0-d069-11ef-955a-87f29a6e30b2.html).
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