Behrend Men Win Fredonia State Invitational, Women Finish Fifth

The Penn State Behrend Men and Women competed at the Fredonia State Invitational on Friday, December 4 and through the weekend with the men taking first while the women finished fifth.

On the men's side, Hunter Backenstose turned in a great performance at the Fredonia State Invitational over the three day event.  Backenstose teamed up in three relays which resulted in two Penn State Behrend records as well as ECAC first cut times in the 200, 400, and 800 freestyle relays.  He also teamed up to make ECAC qualifying time in the 400 medley relay with Jake DesRoches (Fairfax/WT Woodson), Ben Strunk (Cogan Station/Williamsport), and Clay Altemose (Apollo/Apollo-Ridge).  The 400 and 800 freestyle relays were Penn State Behrend records as well.

Individual honors went to Altemose in the 100 fly as well as Backenstose in the 50 free, and the 100 and 200 free.  Strunk took home top honors in the 200 breastroke and a team of DesRoches, Strunk, Altemose and Frank Sullivan (Montoursville/Montoursville) took home the 400 medley relay.

On the women's side, Katie Van Epps (Pleasantville/Titusville) finished second in the 400 individual medley, third in the 200 fly and sixth in the 200 individual medley.  Anne Lawrence (State College/State College) finished third in the 100 fly and fifth in both the 200 backstroke and 200 individual medley.  Junior Krystal Kovach (Scott/Chartiers Valley) finished fifth in the 3m diving.

The Behrend Lions will take to the road for their next swimming action when they travel to their winter training site in Largo, Florida.  December 31 through January 9 will be the dates of winter training for the Behrend Lions.