UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Lauren Walsh swept the breaststroke events to highlight the efforts of the Navy swimming and diving teams in losses by the Mids to Penn State Saturday at McCoy Natatorium in University Park, Pa.  Penn State, which saw both of its teams improve to 2-0 on the season, won the women's meet by the score of 196-104 and the men's meet by a count of 192.5-107.5.  The meet was the first of the year for both Navy squads.

"Hats off to Penn State for the great meet they put together," said Navy women's swimming head coach John Morrison.  "We learned a ton today and look forward to improving over the next two weeks.  We were incredibly proud of the energy and effort of the Navy teams.  They never quit and had many incredible early season performances."

"We were not at the form and level we expected and hoped to be at today," said Navy men's swimming head coach Bill Roberts. "Credit goes to Penn State as they were very good in the water and on the boards.  With many of the same people back from last season, we had anticipated being closer.  Penn State did a nice job early on of pulling away and building points in each event.  We were unable to pull off the upset or two that we needed to get back into the meet, and they just finished stronger than we did.  We look forward to getting back to work and preparing for our upcoming competitions, this month and beyond."

Walsh posted a time of 104.94 to win the women's 100 breast event.  Her time led a 1-2-3 finish for the Mids as Theresa Milio followed in second place (1:05.14) and Riley Gavigan placed third (1:05.26).

Walsh then recorded a time of 2:20.08 to win the 200 breast by two seconds over teammate Maddie Koutavas (2:22.20).

Also winning an event for the Navy women's team was diver Mackenzie Kim, who scored 281.48 points to win the one-meter board by 11.18 points.  Her score bettered the NCAA Zone Diving Meet qualification standards of 265 points.

"Lauren is finding her way back to racing form with two wins today," said Morrison.  "Mackenzie had a great start to the year by already qualifying for the NCAA Zone Championship."

Placing second in events for the Mids were Ela Habjan in the 100 back (55.81), Caroline Irwin in the 50 free (24.04) and Maya Novack in the 100 free (52.13).

On the men's side, Everet Andrew had a strong day as he won the 200 free (1:38.60) by six-tenths of a second and was edged by three-hundredths of a second for the victory in the 100 free (45.27).

Ben Irwin joined Andrew with a victory as he posted a time of 1:48.51 to win the 200 backstroke by 1.34 seconds.

Additional second-place showings by the Navy men's team were recorded by Jonah Harm in the 100 breast (55.42) and 100 fly (48.46), Ben Denman-Grimm in the 50 free (20.85), Finn Gelbach in the one-meter diving event (334.20) and Michael Phillips in the 200 breast (2:03.48).  

Gelbach joined Kim in qualifying for the NCAA Zone Diving Championship.  His one-meter score was well above the qualifying standard of 300 points.

The Navy men's team will next compete Oct. 20 at UMBC and Oct. 21 at home against George Washington, while the Navy women's team will next be in competition in the Oct. 21 home opener against George Washington.