Bucknell University
Patriot League Championships
Men's Swim & Dive Breaks 400 Medley Relay Record, Moves Up to Third at PLC
2/22/2024 9:25:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Bucknell men's swimming & diving team logged nine new program top-10 times, including a school record in the 400 medley relay, and four individuals placed among the top eight in Thursday's events to help the Bison move up a spot into third place on the second day of the 2024 Patriot League Championships.
The Bison went from fourth place to third and possess 390 points through two days. They lead fourth-place Loyola (365) and are behind second-place Army (520.5) and first-place Navy (570.5).
Chris Fabian, Noah Basista, John Gehrig and Justin DiSanto ended the evening with a record-breaking performance in the 400 medley relay. Their 3:12.99 was good enough for fourth at the meet, and it's the third straight year the Bison have broken that standard at the championship meet. It's the second school relay record to fall after the 800 freestyle relay mark was eclipsed Wednesday night.
Chris Kopac posted the highest individual finish for the Bison on Thursday, narrowly missing out on a medal with a fourth-place finish in the 500 freestyle. Meanwhile, three of Kopac's teammates made their marks in the record book with their performances in the event. Kopac posted a 4:23.19 in the A final to score 26 points. Third-place Ian Tansill of Army earned the bronze with a 4:21.65.
First-year Riley Twiss also reached the 500 freestyle A final and placed fifth with a 4:27.10, which ranks fourth in school history. Alex Crossing's 4:27.47 placed him 10th at the meet and fifth in the record book, and William Shoemaker swam a 4:29.78 to finish 12th overall and 10th in the record book.
Rookie Finn Russell impressed in the 50 freestyle at his first championship meet, placing seventh in the finals with a 20.25. Russell tied for eighth during the prelims and prevailed in a swim-off against Lehigh's Tim Norris with a 20.14. It was the third-fastest time in program history behind Leo Kuyl's record 19.75 set at year's championships and Charlie McFarland's 2019 time of 20.10.
Gehrig placed seventh in the 200 IM prelims with a 1:46.97 and finished in that same spot in the finals with a 1:47.07. Andy Dorsel and Shane Wynne placed 11th and 13th, respectively, and both posted program top-10 times during the prelims. Dorsel's 1:47.38 ranks third all-time, and Wynne's 1:48.27 is seventh.
Also adding to the record book was Jack Krug in the men's first diving event of the meet. His 281.70 in the 1-meter prelims ranks fifth all-time, and he placed 12 in the finals to contribute 15 points towards the Bucknell effort. Jackson Vinarub took 13th and Connor Thurston finished 14th.
The Patriot League Championships resume Friday morning, with the 100 butterfly prelims getting underway at 10 a.m.
Program Top-10 Performances:400 Medley Relay – Chris Fabian, Noah Basista, John Gehrig, Justin DiSanto (3:12.99) – school record
500 Freestyle – Riley Twiss (4:27.10) – 4th in school history
500 Freestyle – Alex Crossing (4:27.47) – 5th in school history
500 Freestyle – William Shoemaker (4:29.78) – 10th in school history
200 IM – Andy Dorsel (1:47.38) – 3rd in school history (Prelims)
200 IM – Shane Wynne (1:48.27) – 7th in school history (Prelims)
50 Freestyle – Finn Russell (20.14) – 3rd in school history (Prelims Swim-Off)
1-Meter Dive – Jack Krug (281.70) – 5th in school history (Prelims)
Players Mentioned
