The Ithacan

The men’s swimming and diving team conquered illness to register its highest collective finish at the NCAA Championships in 15 years.

Since the beginning of its season back in October, the men’s swimming and diving team looked at winning its second straight Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association and Empire 8 Conference title as not only a goal, but an expectation.

The men’s swimming and diving team repeated as Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association Empire 8 Conference champions yesterday at the Webster Aquatic Center in Webster, N.Y. The Bombers finished 187 points ahead of second place Stevens Institute of Technology at the meet.

The men’s swimming and diving team tied a single-season record for wins by defeating Union College 204-96 on Saturday at the Athletics & Events Center Pool. The Bombers finished 16-1 on the season and celebrated the final regular season home meet for seniors Antoine Connors, Tyler Kenton, Derek Rand, Jeff Rapp and captain James Sica.

The men’s swimming and diving team returned to the pool for the first time in more than a month yesterday, dominating the eight-team field at the Henry Kumpf Invitational at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The field included Clarkson University, SUNY-Cobleskill, SUNY-Cortland, SUNY-Oneonta, Skidmore College, and Vassar College.

The men’s swimming and diving team faced off against Hamilton College, SUNY-Geneseo and Hartwick College yesterday at the Athletics and Events Center Pool, falling only to the latter.

The men’s swimming and diving team dominated rival SUNY-Cortland on Saturday in the Athletics and Events Center Pool, winning 231-67. The Bombers placed first in all 16 events and had 11 individual winners along with the 200-yard medley relay team and the 200-yard freestyle relay.

The men’s swimming and diving team dominated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in a dual meet yesterday, winning 196-104.