FREDERICK, Md. - The Arcadia University men's swimming program opened the 2021-22 season at the Huntsinger Aquatic Center Saturday as the Knights took on Hood College, returning to dual meet action for the first time in nearly a year and a half. In a total team effort, the Knights won a combined ten events with seven different swimmers picking up individual victories.
The Knights kicked things into high gear in the very first event with the foursome of
Shane Stauffer,
George Wade,
Carlos Pinga, and
Tyler Mui touching first in the 200-yd Medley Relay in a total time of 1:40.88, almost four seconds ahead of the relay of Hood.
In the second event of the day,
Adam Smith battled in the 1000-yd Freestyle in what turned out to be the most exciting finish on the day. With the competition from Hood increasing their lead down the stretch, Smith dug in and would not relent. In the final 50 yards of the grueling race, Smith outraced his opponent 30.30 to 30.60, but ultimately had to settle for second by 31 hundredths of a second. Notably, this was Smith's first time ever swimming the event.
The Knights earned redemption in the very next event with a 1-2 finish in the 200-yd freestyle.
Janis Kirsis led start to finish en route to a winning time of 1:47.56. Not far behind was
Dylan Alexander with a second-place time of 1:54.36.
In the 50-yd free, Arcadia strengthened its overall lead with a 1-3-4 finish, led by Stauffer with a time of 22.27. First-years
Ryan Erdman and
Colten Bennett also were within a half second of their best time.
Also contributing victories on the day were
Tyler Mui in the 200-yd individual medley,
Kevin Foley in the 100-yd breaststroke, Bennett in the 100-yd freestyle, and Pinga in the 100-yd butterfly.
The Knights return to action on Oct. 15 when they travel to take on Division II West Chester.
