Men’s Swimming Sinks Big Green, 173-123

The Columbia men’s swimming and diving team ended its dual meet season with a victory over Dartmouth with a final score of 173-123. The meet appeared as if it would be a battle from early on, but with several 1-2 and 1-2-3 finishes, the Light Blue came out clearly on top of the Big Green.

Columbia was behind early on after Dartmouth divers took the top three spots in the three-meter diving event. But the Lions came back in the very next event to tie the score. The 200-yard medley relay team of Adam Powell, Zach Glassman, Steve Ko, and Darren Pagan won with a time of 1:34.19. The second team from Columbia, comprised of Stephen Yang, Eric Tang, Nick Barron, and Kevin Wakefield, took second place, bringing the score to an 18-18 tie. After the third event, the 1,000-yard freestyle, the Lions were in complete control of the meet.

One of the most exciting swims took place during the 200-yard freestyle event. Hyun Lee has had impressive races for the Light Blue this season, but none matched his swim on Saturday. Lee, who specializes in freestyle, broke the 24-year-old pool record in the event by going a 1:38.56. Lee not only won the event, and also helped pull Columbia within eight points of the Big Green. The Lions would go on to take the top three spots in three events.

The Light Blue, demonstrating its depth, capitalized on the sprinting events to increase its lead to a full-blown sweep. The 50-yard backstroke highlighted Powell, Gabe Schubiner, and Nathan Mormann, who finished ahead of the Dartmouth competition. The next 1-2-3 finish took place in the 50-yard butterfly. Ko, followed by teammates John Dragelin and Barron, got to the wall first with a time of 22.84. Lee, Wakefield, and Yang brought the lead up to 96-53 in the 50-yard freestyle.

This meet marked the final home meet for seniors Darius Dehnad, Dean Spirito, and captain Henning Fog. The men’s team next contest will be at the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference championships and at the Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming League championships.