The men’s swimming and diving team defeated the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Huskies 153–141 Saturday to bring its overall record to 4–1.  

The South Hill squad started out strong as freshman backstroker Jeff Rapp, senior captain and breaststroker Brant Gawrys, sophomore butterflyer Jerry Diamond, and freshman freestyler Antoine Connors opened up the meet with a win in the 200-meter medley relay.

“The key to winning this meet was strong leadership from [Head Coach Kevin Markwardt],” sophomore butterflyer and freestyler Justin Gainer said. “It was a longer meet, with 16 instead of 13 events, and he spread the swimmers out really well.”

The Bombers were swept in both breaststroke events, but responded with strong performances in backstroke and freestyle to put them back on top.

Sophomore freestyler Joe Gage won the 200-meter and 50-meter freestyle races, and Connors placed first in the 100-meter freestyle.

Rapp won the 100-yard backstroke, the 200-yard backstroke, and the 200-yard individual medley for the Bombers.

“The win in the 200 I.M. was big for us,” freshman freestyler Tyler Kenton said.  “We also really pulled ahead in that last relay.”

The South Hill squad secured a win in the final 400-meter freestyle relay, when Connors, senior Mike Ariel, sophomore Steve Croucher and Gage defeated Bloomsburg by more than three seconds.

In the diving events, freshman Derek Rand won the 1-meter board and sophomore Mike Glicini won the 3-meter board competition.

The next action for the Bombers will be when they face Hamilton College, SUNY-Geneseo, and Hartwick College at 1 p.m. Saturday in Clinton, N.Y.