Day One of Men's E8 Championship
Day 1 Results
The first day of the Empire 8 Conference Championship being held in Ithaca, NY is in the books.
Stevens Sam Fuller got the men's finals started with a NCAA B-cut time of 4:33.25 to claim the conference title in the 500 freestyle. His win is the first for a Stevens swimmer since 2011. Stevens' Connor Harrigan took second (4:38.43) for the second straight year and Connor Arnott completed the top three (4:41.86).
In the 200 Individual Medley, Nazareth junior Alex Lapoint claimed top honors with an NCAA B-cut time of 1:51.96. It marked the first time in the event that a Nazareth athlete is the E8 champion. Stevens' Chris Ludeke was the runner-up in 1:54.34.
The men's 50 freestyle had two swimmers crack 21 seconds. Stevens Ethan Gehenio secured the top spot, ending the race in 20.91, edging out Ithaca's Adam Zelehowsky (20.99). Hartwick's Joseph Mulvehill touched in 21.25 to finish third for the second straight year.
Wrapping up the night session was the 200 Medley Relay event. The Stevens team of Vinny Tavoletti, Alex Chen, Austen Young and Ethan Gehenio grabbed the E8 title in a time of 1:32.29. Ithaca placed second in 1:33.87, edging out third placed Hartwick (1:34.71)..
Competition continues tomorrow at Ithaca's Athletics & Events Center Aquatics Pavilion with prelims at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.
Team Scores
Stevens - 192
Hartwick - 140
Ithaca - 136
Nazareth - 92
Alfred - 43
Utica - 39
Thursday's Schedule:
200 Freestyle Relay
400 IM
100 Butterfly
200 Freestyle
1 Meter Diving
400 Medley Relay