NEWARK, N.J. — The NJIT men's swimming and diving team ushered in 2022 in style, capturing a 179-110 victory over the Monmouth Hawks Friday evening at the Wellness and Events Center Natatorium.

The Highlanders and Hawks have met five times over the past five years and Friday's victory moved NJIT to 4-1 against Monmouth over that span and avenged a loss in their last meeting (169-93 on January 24, 2020 at Monmouth). 

"I was very happy with how the guys swam today. Coming off our hardest week of training in Florida, it was great to have an opportunity to race against an in-state rival. Sam Deemer, Ian Horstkamp-Vinekar and Matt Bevan led the way for us today. I am looking forward to seeing where we are next week against Rider as we get ready for America East Championships in three weeks," head coach Ron Farina said after the meet. 

NJIT dominated the meet, winning three-fourths (12-of-16) of the events to claim its third straight dual meet of the season. Matthew Bevan led NJIT, picking up a pair of individual wins (100 Breast, 58.28; 200 Breast, 2:08.64) and helping the team win the 200 Medley Relay with Aidan Blackmon, Edward Madrigal and Tanish Chhabra (1:34.03).

OTHER NJIT VICTORIES

• Aiden Ban: 3 Meter Diving (271.28); 1 Meter Diving (260.25)
• Sam Deemer: 200 Free (1:45.41); 500 Free (4:45.16)
• Aidan Blackmon: 100 Back (52.72)
• Ian Horstkamp-Vinekar: 200 Fly (1:56.70); 100 Fly (51.70)
• Joshua Franco: 100 Free (47.68)
• Andrew Lucky: 200 Back (1:55.66)

NEXT UP
NJIT will wrap up its home schedule next Saturday (January 22) with an 11 a.m. Senior Day matinee against fellow in-state rival Rider. The meet will also kick off a Highlander triple header of events as Women's Basketball (3 p.m.) and Men's Basketball (7 p.m) host Binghamton after the Rider meet.