The women's swim team finished third at Big Tens this weekend. Not a bad showing, but they were quite a bit behind Minnesota, who was quite a bit behind Indiana (detailed results if you're interested). We didn't have anyone qualify automatically for NCAAs, but a number of girls swam 'B' cut times. Basically the way NCAAs works is that there are a certain number of slots for each event (I'm not sure the number and I think it's different for every event) and everyone who swam at the A cut level gets to go. Then they will invite some of the B cut swimmers if there are open slots (which there usually are). So, not bad but not great either. Both the men's and women's programs are in a period of transition and aren't what they were a few years ago. There is a whole new coaching staff and there is some reason to be excited, but the reality is until we get a new pool we're not going to get past a certain level. The new pool has been put on hold a number of times and it's really about time this happens. With basically every other sport getting new facilities, it's the swim teams' turn. And I realize that swimming doesn't bring in money to the athletic department. But, having a top notch pool would also allow us to host Big Tens and other big college and club meets, which brings in revenue, people, etc. In case you can't tell by my screen name, I have some interest in the swim teams at PSU. So it irritates me that this hasn't happened yet, especially since they've been talking about doing it since my freshman year in 1998. Men's Big Tens is this coming weekend.