Graham Natatorium in West Chester, Pa., is unlike most swimming complexes. It houses just one six-lane pool, which limits the size of the teams competing and directly affects their lineup flexibility.
Tonight, the Penn men's and women's swimming teams must overcome those challenges when they make the short trip west to face the Golden Rams at 6 p.m.
The Red and Blue are familiar with the Golden Rams' squad, having swum against them last year at Sheerr Pool. The Quakers were victorious on both ends; the men and women both captured their meets, 180-119 and 174.5-118.5, respectively.
The Penn women are excited about tonight's meet and confident in their continued success, but freestyler Amy Reams isn't ready to count out the Rams.
"As a whole, West Chester is a team that many people may underestimate," the junior said. "But it is not a team to blow off."
West Chester has won its last two meets and most recently had one of its swimmers, junior Jackie Borkowski, named female Swimmer of the Week by both the Eastern College Athletic Conference and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. While the Golden Rams may feature a few standouts like Borkowski, Penn coach Mike Schnur is hoping the Quakers' depth will be too much for them to counter.
"I'm looking forward to tonight," Schnur said. We've been swimming a little better this week and are going to have some pretty decent performances tonight. West Chester isn't quite as deep a team as we are. We will need to use this to our advantage."
Unfortunately, the Quakers' men are lacking the same depth that their female counterparts have. Tonight they will face an equally good West Chester men's team, which like its women's team, has won its last two meets and last week had senior Matt Golebiewski named male Swimmer of the Week by the ECAC and the PSAC. These factors make the men's outcome a tossup, as has been the case in the past. "The West Chester meet has always proved to be an exciting one," junior freestyler James Fee said. "Freshman year, our victory was in question until the last relay. Last year, some Penn swimmers posted their best dual meet times at the meet. Given how well the West Chester team has been doing lately, Friday's meet is sure to be as intense as my first two have been."
Schnur echoed Fee's comments, highlighting the men's success at this same meet last year but also warning of the threat the Golden Rams could pose.
"Their men are every bit as good as our men," Schnur said. "They are a Division II powerhouse. This year they have a really good group of freestylers. We have an advantage in back and breast. They may have an advantage in freestyle."
Schnur thinks the effects of the small facility will add an exciting element to tonight's meet.
"It's going to be our best fifteen versus their best fifteen," Schnur said. "It's going to be very interesting."
