Men’s Swimming and Diving Overcomes Streaking Bucknell

While most Columbia students were returning to campus, the men’s swim team faced off against Bucknell at Uris Pool on Sunday. The Lions started the semester off on the right foot, defeating the Bison 141-102.
Bucknell came into the meet with an impressive 6-1 record, with its only blemish coming against Navy. The Bison also captured first place at the Bucknell Invitational in November. Bucknell brought some momentum into the meet after defeating Army 190-108, but that momentum quickly changed sides as Columbia took control early on.

The Light Blue jumped ahead with a first-place finish in the 400 medley relay. The relay team of Stephen Yang, Eric Tang, Steve Ko, and Kevin Wakefield, finished with a final time of 3:29.53.

Not to be outdone by the older swimmers, freshmen Robert Eyckmans and Daniel Gutsche finished first and second, respectively, in the 1000-yard freestyle. Darren Pagan built on the lead by taking first in the 200-yard freestyle, while Adam Powell and John Dragelin took first and second, respectively, in the 50-yard freestyle. Columbia would go on to win the 200-yard fly, the 100-yard freestyle, and the 200-yard breaststroke.

With the swimmers doing their part to capture a victory, sophomore David Levkoff made sure the divers held up their side of the meet. Levkoff took first in the three-meter diving competition with 241.29 points. Columbia’s Jeff Hull came in third with 218.18 points.
“The meet against Bucknell was a good chance to see our progress after the training trip,” Yang said, referring to the team’s annual winter break excursion.

In past years, the Light Blue have traveled to tropical locales such as Hawaii and the Bahamas. Looking for a different location, while sticking with the tropical theme, the team chose to train in Puerto Rico this year.

“Puerto Rico was great because it was a combination of tough practices and beautiful scenery,” Yang said.

It appears the training trip was successful, as the Lions are poised to finish off the season strong. Columbia travels to Cornell on Saturday, where they hope to build on their recent success against the Big Red.