Big Ten Senior Spotlight: Nate Savoy of Pennsylvania State University

One team that has emerged as a championship season powerhouse in recent years is the Penn State Nittany Lions, and the men from State College have become symbols of consistency with their ability to continuously produce fast swims in February and March. One of the primary catalysts to Penn State’s emergence in the Big Ten scene is senior Nathaniel Savoy, and he will leave the Nittany Lions as one of the most decorated swimmers in school history in the process.

As a freshman, Savoy immediately exploded on to the conference and national scene with his performances at the end of the year. At the 2012 Big Ten Championships, Savoy placed in the A final three times, snaring individual finishes of 8th in the 200 IM (1:46.71, 1:46.46 in prelims), 3rd in the 100 back (46.60), and 2nd in the 200 back (1:42.56). He also was a vital part of Penn State’s medley relay efforts with leadoff legs on the 200 medley relay (1:25.61, 2nd, new school record) and 400 medley relay (3:09.09, 2nd). His incredible debut at the conference championships would ultimately net him Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.

Though he was very good in February, Savoy was just as explosive in March. Individually, he swam in the same three events as the month prior, finishing 8th in the 100 back (46.69), 25th in the 200 back (1:44.11), and 48th in the 200 IM (1:48.08). He also provided lead-off legs on the medley relays once again, helping his team take 8th in the 200 medley relay 1:26.15 (1:26.06 in prelims) and the 400 medley relay with a 3:08.77. Notably, in prelims, the relay established a new school record with a 3:07.62 effort. All in all, Savoy left these Championships with three All-American honors, becoming the first Nittany Lion to do so in program history.

At the 2012 Olympic Trials, Savoy showed off a bit of his long course potential with top finishes of 36th in the 100 back (56.56) and 15th in the 200 back (2:02.10, 2:00.15 in prelims).

Savoy would be just as good the following year for Penn State, and he developed his backstroke endurance along the way. At that year’s conference championships, Savoy netted finishes of 5th in the 100 back (46.51), 3rd in the 200 back (1:40.69), and 14th in the 200 IM (1:47.28, 1:47.02 in prelims). He would play an increased role in PSU’s relays, with legs in the 200 medley relay (1:25.38, 4th, new school record), 400 medley relay (DQ), and the 400 free relay (2:54.50, 5th).

At the 2013 NCAA Championships, Savoy would garner multiple All-American and All-American Honorable Mention awards once again. Individually, he placed 14th in the 100 back (46.78, 46.59 in prelims), and 16th in the 200 back (1:42.79, 1:41.51 in prelims). As a member of Penn State’s relays, Savoy contributed legs to the 200 free relay (20th, 1:18.91), 8th in the 400 medley relay (3:08.42, 3:08.31 in prelims), 6th in the 200 medley relay (1:25.52), and 18th in the 400 free relay (2:54.69).

Despite already having a very accomplished NCAA career, the 2013-14 season would be Savoy’s best season yet with the Nittany Lions. Savoy had a historic conference meet, with the 100 back being the highlight of the championships, as sophomore Shane Ryan (45.13) and Savoy (45.61) took the top two spots in the 100 back, marking the first time in school history that two swimmers had accomplished that feat at Big Tens. He would also add individual finishes of 4th in the 200 back (1:41.23) and 7th in the 200 IM (1:46.11, 1:45.42 in prelims).

Savoy stayed hot on the relays as well, and he helped Penn State set several school records at the meet. He provided the fastest lead-off (21.21) of the entire field in the 200 medley relay to help the team set a new program standard at 1:24.89, good for 2nd overall. Another school record would tumble down in the 200 free relay as Savoy swam the third leg of a 1:17.98 effort that tied for first overall with Ohio State. Incredibly, a third record was struck down in the 400 free relay as Savoy’s third leg contributed to a second-placed 2:51.32 effort. He also led off the Nittany Lions’ 400 medley relay that took 4th in a 3:08.01.

Last year’s NCAA Championships featured Savoy in several individual and relay swims once again, and he managed to improve his average individual placings from the previous year. He recorded finishes of 10th in the 100 back (46.00) and 17th in the 200 back (1:41.16).

One more program record would fall during the 2013-14 season as Savoy helped his team go a 3:07.51 in prelims of the 2014 NCAA Championships before taking 13th at night (3:08.40). He also would provide legs on PSU’s 200 free relay (1:18.04 in prelims, DQ in finals), 200 medley relay (11th, 1:25.61), and 400 free relay (2:53.51, 15th).

As can be easily seen from this spotlight, Nate Savoy has had a tremendous NCAA career, and he will go down as one of the greatest swimmers in school history. His five All-American honors and four All-American Honorable Mention honors are unmatched by any other swimmer in program history, and that only describes a small fraction of the accolades that the Reading, Pennsylvania native has accumulated along his four year journey. He has already posted solid mid-season times with his performances at the UGA Fall Invitational, and there is no reason that we shouldn’t expect to see him in multiple big heats next week as usual. Championship season is crucial for all programs, and Penn State may be one of the best at nailing it year in and year out, so look for Savoy to headline the Nittany Lions’ charge as usual over the next month.

Best Times (SCY/LCM):
50 Free: 20.17/23.71
100 Free: 44.27/51.57
100 Back: 45.61/55.29
200 Back: 1:40.69/1:59.80
100 Fly: 48.78/57.79
200 IM: 1:45.42/2:06.41
200 Medley Relay: 1:24.89*
400 Medley Relay: 3:07.51*
400 Free Relay: 2:51.32*

*Denotes school record

School Major/Degree: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite Event: 100 backstroke
Favorite Hobby/Hidden Talent: Snowboarding 
Role Model Growing Up/ Person You’d Like to Meet: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson 
Favorite Food/ Pre-Race Meal: Pasta

At what age did you become involved with swimming? How did you get into it?

I got involved in swimming when I was 5 years old. My parents put me in swim lessons at our summer pool and I did well enough that my teacher suggested I join the swim team. Next thing I know I am 17 years in. 

What is your favorite collegiate swimming memory and why?

My favorite swimming memory would be representing my team and family at the 2012 Olympic trials. It was such an awesome experience with an incredible venue. It was also my first opportunity to compete at an elite level against some of the worlds best. 

Last year was an immensely successful year for yourself and Penn State as a whole. Your 1-2 finish in the 100 back behind junior Shane Ryan marked the first time in program history that two Nittany Lions claimed the top two spots in an event, and several other team records would tumble throughout the Championships. Can you shed some light on what helped make last year so especially successful for you and your team?

Last year was a really great year for our program. The success starts with the leadership both from our captains and coaches. One of the main keys to our success was the dedication of each one of my teammates. They all put in an incredible amount of work to push our program to the next level. It was my job to push myself to a new level for my team and school. 

Fast swimming in Championship season has become a trademark of Penn State in recent years, and in a sport where double tapers are often dreaded by many, the Nittany Lions have been exceptionally good at swimming fast both at Big Tens and at NCAAs. What do you think is so special about the atmosphere in State College that allows your team to perform so consistently well at the end of the season year in and year out?

We know what the main goal is… Swim fast at the end of the year when it counts. We come in with a plan and have the training, both mentally and physically, to execute that plan. This preparation starts months before championship.  The competitive atmosphere of our team and athletic department as a whole drive us to our success. 

What/who do you think has been the single most important catalyst to your swimming career?

My faith, family and friends. Without all of these I would not have made it this far. 

Do you have any plans/commitments following the completion of your collegiate career?

After the completion of my collegiate carrier I look forward to the new adventures that life has in store for me. This include completing my degree and heading into the work force. 

What should we look forward to from Penn State as a whole at this year’s Big Ten Championships?

This team has put the work in day in and day out. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior year. Look for the Penn State men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams to continue the excel on the biggest stage.