NEWARK, NJ- NJIT men's swimming completed its best season in recent memory under the leadership of head coach Michael Lawson, with the Highlanders posting a 5-6 record, the best record since going Division I in 2006.

“The team has really excelled in the pool and continues to be a great group of young men who are committed to swimming at the Division I level while being part of rigorous academic programs,” Coach Lawson stated.

The Highlanders broke a jaw-dropping 19 school records this past season out of a total of 23. The team was led by a large freshman class that “continued to surprise and surpass our expectations throughout the season,” Coach Lawson said.

Freshman Brian Capozzola who is majoring in Biomedical Engineering broke the 50 Free, 100 Free, and 200 free school records numerous times throughout the season, becoming the fastest Highlander in school history when he swam a 20.79 in his 50 Free at ECAC's.

Freshman Richard Seffrin who is majoring in Mechanical Engineering, has a spectacular year as well. Breaking a staggering seven individual school records, Seffrin competed and excelled in some of the most grueling events. He now holds the school record in the 500 Free, 1000 Free, 1650 Free, 50 Breast, 200 IM and 400 IM.

Sophomore JT Stefan, a Physics major, swept the backstroke records in the 50, 100, and 200 Back events while freshman Dennis Popov  who majors in Electrical Engineering captured the 200 Butterfly record.

Senior Shawn Bryan, an Architecture major, and freshman Jonathan Drori, a Biology major, added to the relay teams of Capozzola, Seffrin, Stefan, and Popov to break all five team relay records including the 200 and 400 Medley, and the 200, 400, and 800 Free relays.

At the Metropolitan Conference Championships, one of the largest swimming conference championships in the nation, NJIT Men's Swimming placed 9^th out of 19 teams.

Seffrin had a stellar meet swimming all personal best times and breaking numerous school records. He placed 2^nd overall in the 400 IM, being only the second Highlander in school history to place so high at a conference meet. He also finished 3^rd overall in the 1650 Free, and 5^th overall in the 500 Free.

Capozzola placed 5^th in the 200 Free and 7^th in the 100 Free. The 800 Free Relay made up of Seffrin, Capozzola, Bryan, and Drori placed 5^th overall, the 200 Free Relay made up of Capozzola, Popov, Drori, and Bryan placed 5^th overall, and the 400 Medley Relay made up of Stefan, Seffrin, Popov, and Capozzola placed 8^th overall.

Seffrin was also runner up for Newcomer of the Meet, a distinction no Highlander has ever won.

Six swimmers received Metropolitan All-Conference Awards including Seffrin (500 Freestyle, 400 IM, 1650 Freestyle), Capozzola (200 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle), the 200 Freestyle Relay (Capozzola, Popov, Drori, Bryan), 400 Medley Relay (Stefan, Seffrin, Popov, Capozzola), and the 800 Freestyle Relay (Seffrin, Capozzola, Drori, Bryan).

Receiving Metropolitan Honorable Mention Awards were  Capozzola (50 Freestyle),  Popov (200 Butterfly),  Drori (200 Breaststroke), the 200 Medley Relay (Stefan, Seffrin, Popov, Bryan), the 400 Freestyle Relay (Capozzola, Popov, Drori, Bryan).

Six of the Highlanders, a school high, qualified for the ECAC Open Swim Championship held at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. NJIT placed 12^th out of 29 declared Division I and III teams in the team standings ahead of America East rivals Maine and Binghamton, and region rival St. Francis (NY).
The six, Capozzola, Seffrin, Popov, Stefan, Drori, and Bryan, swam incredibly well coming close or exceeding their record breaking times and personal bests at the season ending meet.

Capozzola placed 9^th overall in the 50 Free with an extremely fast 20.79 and Seffrin placed 9^th overall in the 1650 Free. The 800 Free Relay made up of Seffrin, Drori, Capozzola, and Bryan placed 8^th overall, dropping over 4 seconds from their previous record setting pace.

The accomplishments of the season did not just include the record setting times but also personal bests. Throughout the season, every member on the team recorded personal bests in all of their events; a staggering accomplishment and one that the swimmers are extremely proud of.

Academically, the Highlander's received several Metropolitan Conference All-Academic Conference Awards. To receive the award the swimmer must have achieved a 3.5 or higher GPA and competed at the 2013 Metropolitan Conference Championships.

This accomplishment is extraordinary due to the rigorous academic programs many of the swimmers are in. The Highlanders receiving the award included freshman John Ghebrial (Chemical Engineering), freshman Matthew Temple (Chemical Engineering), junior Christian Barnard (Business), junior Victor Razuk (Chemical Engineering), and senior Nicole Tran (Biology).

The Highlanders look for another record setting season next year as they forge new trails and face a tougher schedule of Division I opponents. If this year is a precursor to future accomplishments, NJIT will be a force to be reckoned with.