Olympic Trials Qualifier Billy Beard Verbally Commits to Penn State

Billy Beard, a senior at Malvern Preparatory School in Pennsylvania, has verbally committed to the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions for the 2016-17 season. Beard helped the Malvern Prep Friars end the 2014-15 season with an undefeated record in Inter-Ac competition, and he finished first in the 100 free and second in the 100 fly at the Eastern Interscholastic Championships.

“I’m committing [to Penn State] because I love the coaches and the staff and really think that it could further my swimming career.”

Beard swims year-round with Malvern Swim Association (MSA). At Junior Nationals in San Antonio this past summer he placed fifth in the 50m free, 13th in the 100m free and 15th in the 100m fly, achieving Olympic trial cuts in the 50 free and 100 fly. His top times over the last two seasons include:

Penn State finished seventh at the men’s B1G Championships in 2015 during its second season under head coach Tim Murphy. The Nittany Lions will likely count on Beard to score points in the sprint freestyle events, where Shane Ryan was their lone “A” finalist in the 50 and 100 freestyles at 2015 B1Gs. In addition, Penn State did not field one finalist in the 100 fly at the conference meet, leaving a big hole that Beard has an opportunity to fill.