Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Penn State Behrend Lions

Mary Ellen (Spooner) Cottle

Spooner was a dynamic two-sport athlete, competing in water polo and swimming for Behrend from 2009-13. She was a four-time All-American and two-time Division III All-Conference Second Team in water polo. Spooner registered 208 steals, 146 goals, 110 drawn kickouts and dished out 45 assists. In swimming, she was a 17-time AMCC Champion and First Team All-Conference honoree. Spooner broke five records during her career and still holds the 400 medley relay record time. She finished her career being named the Behrend Female Athlete of the Year in 2013.

When it comes to athletic success in the pool, Spooner seemingly did it all for Penn State Behrend. The powerhouse was in the pool nearly year-round scoring goals and setting records.

It was a seamless transition from being awarded 2011 Most Improved Swimmer and earning five All-Conference honors to setting the record for most goals scored in a game with nine against Notre Dame her sophomore season. This performance was an indication she was on track to breaking the program record. On March 27, 2013, Spooner tallied a game-high six goals against Mercyhurst to become the career goals leader.

Spooner’s fierce competitiveness made her the only player in program history to earn All-American status all four years, exemplifying the value and pride of the women’s water polo team.

By the time Spooner was done setting and resetting her own personal bests in swimming her senior year, she also become the women’s water polo program’s first-ever player in Behrend history to receive an All-America status higher than honorable mention. Spooner led the Lions in goals (40), drawn kickouts (30), and field blocks (12), while breaking the program record for goals and drawn kickouts.

In 2013, she was chosen for the Female Athlete of the Year, the highest honor given to a Behrend student-athlete. 

Her named is etched all over the record books including first in career drawn kickouts, second in field blocks, second in shots, third in steals and third in goals.