EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette swimming and diving team continued their season today at their Senior Day home meet against Lehigh. The men finished second with 61.50 points, while the women also finished second with 35 points.

On the men's side, the biggest highlight of session one of the two-day meet came from the 400 yard medley relay. The foursome of Aaron Tupper, Michael Gorgan, Tanner McFarland, and Ben Arky finished first overall in a time of 3:22.85. This time is a new pool record, breaking the previous record set by Lafayette back in 2015.

Leading off the medlay was Tupper in the backstroke, finishing with a split time of 50.65. This time is a new school record, breaking the previous record set by Evan Newbold by 0.01 seconds back in 2015. The other split time for the medley were: Gorgan (54.35), McFarland (51.01), and Arky (46.84). The split from Gorgan also places him Lafayette's Top 10 All Time list for the event.

Justin Lloyd also had another strong meet for the Lafayette. In the 1000 yard freestyle, Lloyd finished second overall in a final time of 9:49.34. He then came right back in the 200 yard freestyle, the next event, and took home first place in a time of 1:40.93.

Also swimming a big race in the 1000 yard freestyle was Nicholas Sabella, finishing fourth overall in a time of 9:56.67. This finish is a new personal best for Sabella.

Tupper came back later with another strong swim, finishing second in the 100 yard backstroke in a final time of 51.16. Closing out his day came with another first place finish, winning the 50 yard freestyle in a time of 21.33.

Also finishing strong in the 50 yard freestyle was Arky (3rd, 21.62) and Jamison Crow (4th, 22.09).

Another personal best on the day came from Gorgan later in the 100 yard breaststroke, winning the event in a time of 55.03. His winning time was over two seconds faster than the second place finisher in the event.

In the 200 yard butterfly, McFarland almost completed a huge comeback, but just fell a little short as he finished second in a final time of 1:52.45. 

On the women's side, the 400 yard medley team consisting of Danielle Carr, Margaret Champagne, Lindsey Monaco, and Samantha Talecki started the morning off fast, finishing second overall in a time of 3:58.04. Both Carr's split time of 57.97 and Champagne's split time of 1:07.31 enter the Lafayette Top 10 All Time list in the event.

Another Top 10 All Time entry came from Tara Leininger, as she finished seventh overall in the 100 yard breaststroke in a time of 1:07.72 to break into the Leopard record book.

Another impressive swim came from first year Kelly Snarr in the 200 yard freestyle, finishing second overall in a final time of 1:56.78.

"The day really belonged to our seniors, said head coach, James Dailey. "Our women's seniors, Samantha Bluvol, Casey Goodwin, Maya Imperial, Rachel Petzoldt, Emma Piascik and Mary Zimmerman along with our men's seniors, Tanner McFarland, Ethan Miller, Garrison Mueller and Ryan van Dijk have provided some amazing leadership, stewardship and commitment throughout four years. With the COVID pandemic and the world being turned upside down, they have as a group kept us centered, focused and always moving forward. They've had four great years and it's awesome that we have had the opportunity to finish their careers with an in person meet and with their teammates around them. We are very thankful for the experience and time they have given us. There are some pretty big shoes others will have to fill next year."

"Our seniors have committed everything they had and more over the last four years. They came in as first years and are set to graduate and enter their new jobs or start attending graduate school. Along the way they had highs and lows but this group had a lot more highs than lows. They are going out in style earning College Swimming Coaches Athletic Association Academic All American every semester, several school records, recognition as being campus leaders in orientation, committees and leadership positions in community based affiliations."  

"They led by example and were outstanding role models.  This last year and short season  was immensely chaotic and they led the team through it. Every chance they received lemons, they made great lemonade. Their perseverance, conflict resolution and outstanding coping mechanisms were amazing. We are a better team and have one of our best recruiting classes ever because of the work they have put in and the legacy they are leaving behind."

"Good luck to all our seniors. You will be an asset to any organization you will be part of. We will miss you!"

The Leopards return to action tomorrow morning at 10:30 AM EST for Session 2 against Lehigh.