Penn State swimming alumnus and 2016 Olympian Shane Ryan won gold in the 50-meter backstroke representing Ireland at the World University Games in Taipei on Wednesday morning.
Nittany Lion junior Ally McHugh, meanwhile, picked up her second silver medal of the games with the U.S. 4X200 meter freestyle relay team.
Ryan, who’s a three-time All-American in the 100-yard backstroke for the Nittany Lions, set an Irish national record with a time of 24.72 seconds to out-touch Justin Ress of the United States by one-hundredth of a second.
Relive the magical moment as @shaneryanpsu wins gold for Ireland #SUTaipei2017 #WUG17IRL pic.twitter.com/8Ssl2zJ2Td
— StudentSport Ireland (@StudentSportIrl) August 23, 2017
He had finished fourth earlier this week in the 100-meter backstroke, but managed to take down Ress — the gold medalist in that race.
Ryan will be back in the pool Saturday for the 400-meter individual medley.
McHugh medaled for the second time after swimming the preliminary heats to help the U.S. 4X200 meter relay to the finals. The Philadelphia native earned a silver Sunday in the 400-meter individual medley.
Ryan is the first medalist for Penn State men’s swimming at the World University Games since 2009, and McHugh is the first medalist for Penn State women’s swimming since 1989.
