University Park, Pa. — Sophomore standout Amy Modglin, who has anchored the Penn State women’s swimming and diving team during the past two seasons, has been selected to represent the United States during the upcoming World University Games in Shenzhen, China from Aug. 14-19, 2011.
Known internationally as the Summer Universiade, the multi-sport event takes place every two years and is considered the second largest international competition behind the Olympic Games. It boasts competitors from around the world and is open to student-athletes between the ages of 17 and 28 who are less than one year removed from college or its equivalent.
Modglin was selected for the national team after piecing together an incredible resume during her first two years in Happy Valley. A highly-decorated competitor, she earned Honorable Mention All-American honors last season and was selected as the National Swimmer of the Week on Jan. 19, 2010.
During her freshman campaign, she swam to 21 NCAA ‘B’ standards and broke three pool records. The Fort Myers, Fla. native also shattered the Penn State school record in the 200-backstroke after cruising to a time of 1:54.02. She eventually finished 16th in that event during the NCAA Championships.
Picking up right where she left off last season, Modglin has had an excellent start to her sophomore campaign in 2010. In just two meets, she has topped a pair of NCAA ‘B’ standards and finished first in six events. She also holds the team’s top time in five individual disciplines during the year.
A two-time Big Ten Swimmer of the Week, she is the first Nittany Lion to compete in the World University Games since Patrick Shirk represented the nation in 2009. Overall, Penn State has a long and proud tradition of succeeding at the international competition dating back to 1989 when Kristen Elias captured a silver medal in the 100-butterfly.
Modglin and the Nittany Lions will be back in action this weekend when Penn State opens a two-day tri-meet with Virginia and Indiana on Friday in Charlottesville, Va. The meet will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday.
