Swimmers to face Nittany Lions

As the women's swimming team prepares for its last meet of the regular season today, there is a feeling of confidence and determination. The 19th-ranked Hoosiers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) are having their best season since coach Dorsey Tierney took over three years ago and have their sights set on going undefeated.\nThe Hoosiers might be facing their greatest challenge this weekend, when they clash with another nationally ranked team in No. 15 Penn State, as well as Michigan State. The Hoosiers have fared well against nationally-ranked teams this season, beating No. 18 Notre Dame, No. 23 Northwestern and No. 24 Kentucky.\nJunior Susan Woessner, who was named co-Big Ten Swimmer of The Week after breaking her own school record and the Lambert pool record in the 100-yard backstroke at Purdue Saturday, said she believes the Hoosiers will be ready for yet another test of their abilities.\n"We are looking to finish the dual-meet season with a great weekend at Penn State," she said. "They are a very strong team with a lot of depth. It will definitely be our most challenging meet of the season."\nCompetition starts today and will continue through Saturday. Beating Penn State and Michigan State would give the Hoosiers momentum going into the Big Ten Championships, which begin Feb. 15.\nSophomore sprinter Anne Williams said the team is approaching this meet with the same fortitude with which it has approached every meet this season.\n"It's an opportunity to race and swim our best times thus far," Williams said. "We've been able to step up against some really good teams this year, and I don't think this weekend will be any different. When our team gets behind one another, we all race our best."\nTeam spirit and unity has been a large part of the Hoosiers' success this year. In a sport where emphasis sometimes is placed on personal time and performances, there has been a larger focus on the team concept this season. \nSenior Jenn Cristy, who swam in two Olympic trials and holds four individual school records, said she sees that mentality as one of the most important aspects of this year's team.\n"I didn't swim that great at Purdue, but to see the team do well was awesome," Cristy said. "I know if that same mentality is there at Penn State, we can beat (them). Penn State is a great team, but so are we."\nIn accordance with this attitude, the relay teams will be an important part of this weekend's meet. Relays allow teammates to pull together and are worth the most points. This combination seems to fit this team, and Tierney said she couldn't be happier.\n"Our entire team places a tremendous emphasis on the relay events," she said. "We are fortunate to have a group of individuals who are focused on one goal"