WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. – Junior George Go (Manila, Philippines) captured his third gold medal of the weekend and led a Falcon domination in the 50 yard backstroke as Bentley University edged out Keene State College for the men's swimming crown in the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association Championships that concluded Sunday night at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center.
Bentley amassed 885.5 points, besting three-time defending champion Keene State by just 10.5 points to claim it first title since 2008 and fifth in the last eight years. Roger Williams took third with 680 points, and ten other teams also competed.
The Falcons were behind the Owls up until the 50 backstroke when they took the top five position. Bentley outscored Keene 82-13 in the event, turning a deficit of 31.5 points into a 37.5 point lead. Go was first to the wall, with his time of 24.06 seconds both a meet record and a school record, breaking the mark he set during the 200 medley relay on Saturday.
Following Go, in order, were senior Patrick Ryan (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury Reg. HS), freshman Josh Witty (Los Gatos, Calif./Los Gatos HS), senior David Curran (Danbury, Conn./Danbury HS) and senior Chris Argiros (Marblehead, Mass./Marblehead HS).
The Falcons' other gold during the third day of competition was earned by freshman Connor Mulvey-Hudson (Ardmore, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep). He finished in 2:09.03, edging out Zach Wagner of the University of New England by only four-tenths of a second.
Bentley picked up two silvers during the Sunday evening portion of the meet, beginning with junior Tyler Champagne (Orange, Conn./Amity Regional HS) with a time of 17:08.45 in the 1650 freestyle. Senior Erik Stricker (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central HS) took fourth in the same event, finishing in 17:21.93.
The other silver came in the meet-ending 400 free relay, with sophomores Steve Sylvia (Westerly, R.I./Westerly HS) and Peter Belanger (Andover, Mass./Andover HS) combining with junior Michael Simoneau (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South HS) and senior Joe Frantel (Canandaigua, N.Y./Marcus Whitman HS) for a school record 3:12.09.
Bentley also received a fourth-place showing from senior Matt Wessels (Epsom, N.H./Bishop Brady HS) in the 100 individual medley (55.32 seconds).
Overall for the meet, Bentley collected 18 medals (four gold, nine silver, three bronze) and set eight school records.
New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association Championships
At Upper Valley Aquatic Center, White River Junction, Vt.
Final
Team Standings: 1. Bentley 885.5, 2. Keene State 875, 3. Roger Williams 680.5, 4. Norwich 398, 5. Regis 361, 6. Saint Michael's 235, 7. Univ. of New England 220, 8. Elms 188, 9. Saint Joseph's (ME) 170, 10. Colby-Sawyer 130, 11. UMass-Dartmouth 118, 12. Bridgewater State 107.5, 13. Gordon 94.5
BENTLEY 1ST-PLACE FINISHES
50 Back: George Go, 24.06 (meet record, school record)
200 Breast: Connor Mulvey-Hudson, 2:09.03
BENTLEY 2ND-PLACE FINISHES
1650 Free: Tyler Champagne, 17:08.45
50 Back: Patrick Ryan, 24:58
400 Free Relay: Steve Sylvia, Peter Belanger, Michael Simoneau, Joe Frantel, 3:12.09 (school record)
BENTLEY 3RD-PLACE FINISHES
50 Back: Josh Witty, 25.40
SCHOOL RECORDS
50 Back: Go, 24:06 (old, 24.20, set 2/18/12)
400 Free Relay: Sylvia, Belanger, Simoneau, Frantel, 3:12.09 (old, 3:12.81, set 2/21/10)
