COMPLETE RESULTS (PDF)


NEWARK, NJ --  The Highlanders men's swimming and diving team opened the 2018-19 season with a 2-1 record at the NJIT Invitational on Sunday at the Wellness and Events Center (WEC). NJIT posted a 149-81 victory over Mount Saint Mary's and a 139.5-100.5 win over Manhattan College, while being nipped by Saint Peter's University, 118-115.

The Peacocks finished a perfect 3-0 on the men's side while LIU Brooklyn earned a 3-0 sweep on the women's side. The meet consisted of four programs for both men's and women's competitions.

"I'm really proud of the way our guys stepped up and raced today," said Head Swimming and Diving Coach Ron Farina, who enters his first season with NJIT. "We knew Saint Peters was going to be a challenge, but we won both relays and had numerous close losses. I like the where we are this point in the season and look forward to continuing the work to achieve our goals."

The Highlanders eked out their initial first-place finish of the season in the Men 200 Yard Medley Relay, as Edward Madrigal, Nicholas Lyons, Mattheau Bonner and Tyler Pollock finished with a time of 1:36.79 -- just 0:00.24 ahead of a quartet from Saint Peters. NJIT also finished the meet strong with the top finish in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, as freshman Joshua Franco, Pollock, Lyons and freshman Kai Legband combined for a time of 1:41.65.

Junior diver Cole Becker became the first Highlander to attain an individual first-place finish, when his final score of 222.45 in the Men One Meter Dive nipped teammate Avery Bechtel, who finished in second place with a 208.45. The pair also finished in the same order in the Three Meter, posting scores of 192.70 and 186.20, respectively.

Freshman Joshua Franco scored his first career individual first-place finish in the Men 500 Yard Freestyle, topping the pack of 15 swimmers with a score of 4:48.66. The product of Union (NJ) High School also placed second in the 200 Yard Freestyle (1:42.96).

Also competing for the first time collegiately, Legband finished second in the 50 Yard Freestyle (21.10) and 100 Yard Freestyle (46.49)

Individually, Lyons finished second in the 100 Yard Breaststroke (59.45) while Bonner placed second in the 100 Yard Butterfly (52.45). 

Also of note, freshman Lane Griffis finished fourth in both the 500 (4:58.11) and 1000 Yard Freestyle (10:17.71) in his first NCAA competition.

NJIT will next compete in a home meet against UMass on Saturday. The meet will be held in the WEC starting at 1 p.m.