The men’s swimming and diving team took to the water at the New Jersey Institute of Technology this past Saturday for its final dual meet of the season, falling 172-123 to the Highlanders.
Senior Peter Kawash led the way for the Leopards, breaking the 100-yard IM school record (51.00) and the NJIT pool record.
According to Kawash, head coach James Dailey did not inform his athletes of the event they were swimming until the day of the meet.
“Going in, people were excited just because you’re swimming random events, just having fun,” Kawash said. “I feel like it made it a lot easier for people to stay level-headed, not think too much about it, try to have fun and let loose and swim fast.”
However, Kawash specifically asked to race the 100-yard IM.
“Both coaches agreed just to let me have a crack at it last time,” Kawash said.
The Maroon and White earned several other podium finishes. Junior Tommy Weber claimed second place in the 100-yard fly (51.89) and 200-yard free (1:46.47). Senior Thomas Krystkiewicz collected second in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:16.08) and senior Jack Oleson placed second in the 100-yard backstroke (54.61).
Senior Kurtis Campbell secured first place in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:12.62) and third in the 50-yard free (21.99).
The relay team of freshman Charles Derivaux, Krystkiewicz, sophomore Daniel Dwyer and freshman Eric Engel were victorious in the 200-yard free relay (1:28.83).
On the diving side, sophomore standout Landon Orth collected two victories in the 1-meter (294.67) and 3-meter dives (283.57). Junior Peter Curtis claimed second in the 1-meter (258.60) and third in the 3-meter (275.55) while sophomore Trey Telleen went home with third and fourth in the 1-meter (236.78) and 3-meter dives (231.52).
Additionally, both the Leopards and the Highlanders entered teams in the 4-by-50 relay consisting of all divers.
“The divers suited up in caps and goggles and got on the starting blocks,” Curtis said. “We were just flailing around, swimming as fast as we could against legit swimmers.”
“But it was definitely a lot of fun to get a taste of what it’s like to swim in a relay,” he added.
Both Curtis and Kawash attested to the good atmosphere in the pool that day.
The men’s and women’s teams will both hit the pool in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, for the Bison Invite at Bucknell University tomorrow.