The University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team is set to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018. The Quakers, seeded 14th in the South region, will face third-seeded Illinois on Thursday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. This marks Penn's 25th appearance in the tournament, with the game scheduled to air on TNT. The winner will advance to face either North Carolina or VCU in the second round.
On the wrestling mats, six athletes from Penn are competing in the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. The event, which started on Thursday, marks a significant opportunity for the Quakers, who last year achieved their highest team placement since 2006. Among the competitors, CJ Composto stands out, having earned All-America honors in the previous season with a fourth-place finish at 141 pounds.
In swimming, seniors Sydney Bergstrom and Anna Moehn represent Penn at the NCAA Championships in the 1650 freestyle event. Bergstrom, who secured a first-place finish at the Ivy League Championships with a time of 16:02.63, returns for her third NCAA appearance. Moehn, finishing second at Ivies, joins her teammate for a second consecutive year at the national meet.
In administrative news, Alanna Wren, Penn's Director of Athletics and Recreation, has been honored as a NACDA Athletics Director of the Year. This accolade reflects her leadership and the department's achievements, including a national championship in men's squash.