Swimmers eager to face Lions

Women search for first victory It has been nearly three weeks since the Penn women's swimming team last competed. But since that time the team has been anything but relaxed. Penn (0-3, 0-3 Ivy League) has taken full advantage of the long break in the schedule to focus on tomorrow's dual meet at Columbia. The Lions (1-4, 0-4) are currently struggling, but they boast three top-notch swimmers in Rachel Strong, Megan Hast and Danette Daniels. The trio has an added advantage because it knows its away around Uris Pool. Although it is unusual to have a home advantage when it comes to swimming, the confines of the Uris Swim Center are anything but friendly when it comes to visiting teams. "Columbia is a very difficult place to swim at," Penn assistant coach Mike Schnur said. "There are many negative things, such as it is dark, cold and inhospitable in general. It is also poorly ventilated and has very slippery walls." With Penn's team consisting mostly of freshmen, the meet will be all the more difficult because very few of its swimmers will have previous experience dealing with the horrid conditions. Penn coach Kathy Lawlor-Gilbert intends to use this meet as an indicator for the remainder of the season. The next meet will not be for another five weeks, so she wants to find out what to focus on over winter break. The swimmers want to do so as well. "Columbia will give us a better idea of where we are," senior Grace Tsuei said. "It will keep us focused for Christmas training, and will hopefully keep the smiles on our faces." The smiles have been the result of the upbeat attitude that has kept Penn together during these strange circumstances. At any given practice, laughing and joking are as common as swimming. But that doesn't mean the Quakers won't have their game faces on once they jump into Uris Pool Saturday.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.