PISCATAWAY, NJ – Despite a pair of first-place finishes from Sean Smith (Oklahoma City, OK) on the men’s side and a 1-2 finish in the 200 IM by the women, the Rutgers University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams fell to Penn State today in action at the Sonny Werblin Recreational Center. Penn State’s men won by a score of 146-95, while the Nittany Lion women won, 157-86.

Smith’s individual highlights were not enough for the Scarlet Knights, who captured four first-place finishes on the men’s side. Smith took top honors in the 1000-yard freestyle, with a time of 9:16.28 and the 500-yard freestyle (4:30.76). Smith’s 1000-yard free time set a school record, breaking his own previous mark of 9:17.25, which was the 22nd-fastest time in the country. In addition, Matt Campbell (Haddonfield, NJ) was first in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 20.38, while his brother, Ryan Campbell (Haddonfield, NJ), took third (21.26). The final first place finish was registered by Josh Van Norman (San Diego, CA), who led a seven-person field in the 200-yard backstroke (1:50.63). Matt Campbell also added a second-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle, clocking 45.68, one spot ahead of Ivan Morse (Pleasanton, CA), who finished third (46.19).

On the women’s side, freshman Allie Dean (Buffalo, NY) took first in the 200-yard IM at 2:05.40, following closely by senior Erin McIntyre (Broomfield, CO), who was second in 2:06.27. McIntyre also registered a second-place finish in the 1000-yard freestyle (10:09.79). RU’s final first-place finish was turned in by freshman Kelly Harrigan (Bristol, CT), who clocked a 1:58.72 in the 200-yard backstroke competition. Harrigan, like Smith on the men’s side, broke her own school record (1:58.91), formerly the 15th-best time.

In the 200-yard freestyle, Casmera Wick (Longmont, CO) registered a second-place finish (1:50.02), leading a 2-3-4 finish in the event. Harrigan took third (1:50.43) and Samantha Caetano (Alameda, CA) was fourth (1:52.28). Ruth Nichols (Raleigh, NC) was also second in the 50-yard free at 24.12 and Elissa Lavorerio (Millington, NJ) took second as well, racing to a finish of 2:05.93 in the 200-yard butterfly. Katie Kuczmarski (Wilmington, DE) was second in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:20.93).

The team returns to the pool on Saturday, February 15, when it hosts the Rutgers Invitational at 10:00 a.m., the final tune-up prior to the 2003 BIG EAST Championships, set for February 20-22. RESULTS