M. Swimming to face weak La Salle

Penn men's swimming takes on La Salle at noon tomorrow at Kirk Pool. Although this year's annual meeting with the significantly weaker Explorers pales in comparison to their previous opponents, the Quakers remain focused on the task at hand. "They are not as good as we are." Penn coach Mike Schnur said. "But we have to take everybody seriously." When the Penn men's swimming team took the pool against Army just three weeks ago, they needed a win. Coming off three straight losses to Ivy League opponents, the prospect of facing the struggling Cadets was a welcome one. However, the Quakers' 131-110 victory on Jan. 11 served not as a brief taste of success for the Red and Blue, but rather as a springboard for a string of some of the most impressive wins in the program's history. "Last weekend was such a huge step for our team." freshman Pat Maloney said. Tomorrow, the Red and Blue swim against yet another lull in their roller coaster schedule. However, this time they bring with them considerable momentum. On a four-meet win streak, the Quakers race tomorrow against a group of swimmers who are outmatched in almost every event. With that said, the job for the Quakers becomes one of a more mental nature. "We are still going to have to swim well against them," Schnur said. Putting things into perspective, taking care of business tomorrow is essential if Penn is going to get back on track in the Ancient Eight. With a meet against national powerhouse Harvard just a week away, and the major Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming League championships looming in the not-so-distant future, Schnur and company cannot afford another slump. While things look good on paper, Penn must use this weekend to take another step forward and not backward.

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