EASTON, Pa. – The Leopards kicked off their season on Saturday afternoon, hosting Loyola at Weinstein Natatorium. Both the men's and women's teams fell to the Greyhounds, 204 to 95 and 184 to 116, respectively.

The Lafayette divers started off the season with strong performances. Sophomore Mia Guster broke the school record in both the 1- and 3-meter dives. Guster scored 258.23 in the 1-meter, breaking her own record, and 253.13 in the 3-meter, surpassing Alana Anzalone (244.80) from 2011. Senior Shaylee Daniels secured second in the 3-meter with a score of 243.30. 

For the men, sophomore Landon Orth captured first place in the 1- and 3-meter dives. Orth took home a score of 297.93 in the 3-meter and 315.30 in the 1-meter, breaking the school record and pool record, both of which were his own records from the 2023-24 season. Along with breaking records, Orth's performance in the 1-meter was an NCAA Division I Zone A qualifying standard. Following close behind in the 1-meter, junior Peter Curtis snagged second place, scoring 268.95.

For the women's swimmers, senior Maggie Ivie took home first and second-place finishes in the 100 and 200-yard backstroke (59.89, 2:10.68). Junior Isabella Van Ess reeled in a first and second  in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard IM (1:06.67, 2:10.95). Freshman Ever Ferguson and sophomore Abigail Bebel garnered first and second in the 200-yard fly with 2:10.36 and 2:11.52 finishes, respectively.

On the men's side, sophomore Alexander Zoldan managed second in both the 1000- and 500-yard freestyles (9:51.43, 4:45.63). Classmate Alexander Reihl secured second in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle (21.87, 48.07) and senior Peter Kawash had two second-place finishes in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard IM (52.54, 1:58.15)

"Our swimmers and divers performed really well today. The first meet of the season is always an interesting adventure," said Lafayette head coach James Dailey. "Our first years are always nervous and our upper class always sees it as a beginning or at least starting point to compare all of our next performances against. There were a lot of nerves and expectations."

"To start the season with three school records and one NCAA Division I Qualifier is awesome. I'm proud of everyone today," Dailey continued.

The Maroon and White compete again at Colgate on Oct. 26 at noon.