M. Swim hopes to be 'nasty' vs. Lions

As nasty as they wanna' be, the Penn men's swimming team feels that it is ready to make the Columbia Lions meow tomorrow at Sheerr Pool (3 p.m.). "We'll be incredibly nasty," freshman Jeff Brown said. "We were a little too laid back in the last two meets, but we're going out nasty this time." Coach Kathy Lawlor-Gilbert and the team are counting on this aggressive attitude to give them the edge tomorrow as the Quakers face off against Columbia. "The men's team has had some tough outings, but we are more directed now than in the first meets," Lawlor-Gilbert said. "I think they are going to come out aggressive and tenacious." Heading into their first home meet of the season, the Quakers are pumped up for victory, but it won't come easy. Last year Columbia swamped Penn with a 65-point victory. Penn has not won a meet against Columbia in two years. The traditionally strong Lions are likely to come out roaring with returning leaders like sophomore Tim Womack, who took both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke and was on the winning 200 medley relay team against Yale two weeks ago. Racing at Sheerr Pool for the first time, the Quakers will have the home advantage. Contrary to away meets – when swimmers must adjust their techniques to suit the pool – the way the blocks are set up, the turns, lighting and diving boards at Sheerr will be familiar to Penn. "More than anything, being at home will help us out," Lawlor-Gilbert said. "It is going to be a very important factor." Penn's strength will be its depth, according to assistant coach Mike Schnur. The team will be looking towards senior Rob Morris, junior Jim McGinnis and Brown for leadership while holding high expectations for all members of the team. "We have a team of guys united in purpose, each knowing that they are important," Schnur said. "There are 30 guys who know what they have to do." The Quakers are confident heading into the meet from the week's practices. They are hoping that the example the older swimmers have set for the highly talented but inexperienced freshmen will give them the edge to keep the Lions tamer than last year. "The team is coming along well in practice," Schnur said. "The difference between this year and last year is that we have better direction from the upperclassmen combined with new blood and a real aggressive attitude." The freshmen, numbering 16 of the 32-member team, are handling the pressure and expectations that come with collegiate competition with confidence, according to freshman Jon Levine. "Of course we're a little nervous, but we've been training really hard," Levine said. "I am personally ready to do my best. The coaches don't place a lot of pressure on anyone individually – but they do have expectations for the whole team." Lawlor-Gilbert realizes that hard work doesn't always pay off immediately as shown by losses to Ivy rivals Yale, Cornell and Princeton, even with an influx of freshman talent and increased morning practices in addition to the normal regimen. "I remind them of all the tough practices and what they are for," Lawlor-Gilbert said. "Sometimes its hard for swimmers to stay focused – they do all the hard work and then forget to say 'hey, this is why' in the meets." Penn has something to prove this weekend as it seeks to head into Christmas break with a number in the win column. "We're not giving them anything," Brown said. "We have a really good attitude and we want [a win] bad – It helps to feel sorry for your opponent."