WASHINGTON, D.C. – The UMBC men's swimming and diving squad got the 2023-24 season rolling with an outstanding performance at American University. The Retrievers 13 of 16 events on the program and defeated the Eagles, 194-100.
Seniors
Dani Nicusan and
Max Casey-Bolanos and freshman diver
Andy Vines each won a pair of events for the visitors.
Moreover, three additional UMBC freshmen earned golds in their first collegiate meets.
James Tao won the 200 breaststroke in a photo finish,
Nick Bracall edged an Eagle to take the 500 freestyle and
Samuel Bendek earned gold in the 200 IM.
UMBC opened the closed the meet with wins in the 200 medley and freestyle relays.
"This was a complete team win - everyone did their job and then some," said Head Coach
Matt Donovan. "We had a few hiccups along the way but we picked each other up. This is exactly where we left off in February and we are miles ahead of where we were a year ago at this time."
Nicusan cruised to victory in the 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle, while Casey-Bolanos won both backstroke event. Nicusan's mark of 56.59 broke the Bender Arena Pool record.
Vines nearly hit the 300-point plateau in both diving events. He earned a score of 294.45 on the 1-meter board and 292.12 on the 3-meter board.
In addition, senior
Ethan Riser won the 200 butterfly and
Bode Neale touched first in the 200 freestyle.
UMBC will open the home season on Saturday, Oct. 7 when they host La Salle on Parent's Weekend. The meet gets underway at noon.
