Bucknell University
Patriot League Championships
Men's Swim & Dive Earns Two Medals, Breaks Two School Records on Third Day of PL Championships
2/23/2024 10:42:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Bucknell men's swimming & diving team broke two school records, and two earned individual medals as the Bison wrapped up the third day of the 2024 Patriot League Championships. The team registered nine new program top-10 times overall, and Bucknell sits in fourth place with 698.5 points.
Chris Kopac and Andy Dorsel both collected bronze medals. Kopac swam a 1:35.72 in the 200 freestyle to break his own school record (1:36.48), which he previously set at the 2022 Patriot League Championships. Dorsel was the first to earn an individual medal, taking third in the 400 IM with a 3:51.78 to rank fourth all-time.
Chris Fabian put together an outstanding day, as the senior broke his own school record twice in the 100 butterfly. He finished fifth in the prelims with a 47.34, then became the first Bison to break 47 seconds with a 46.92 in the finals to place fourth. Fabian came in just behind Army's third-place finisher James Pinter (46.70). The senior set the previous Bucknell standard of 47.66 at the 2023 championship meet.
Fabian also scored A finals points in the 100 backstroke after taking fourth in the prelims. He finished eighth in the finals with a 48.22.
The Bison ended the night with the 200 freestyle relay, scoring 52 points with a fourth-place finish behind Loyola, Navy and Army. Fabian, Finn Russell, Justin DiSanto and John Gehrig combined to swim a 1:19.76, which ranks second in school history.
Russell also made his mark in the record book in the 100 butterfly, recording the program's third-fastest time in the prelims with a 48.26.
In the 100 breaststroke, Will Hedges, Matt Raudabaugh and James Lombardi finished in succession in the prelims, each making the B final. Hedges placed 12th Friday evening with a 54.51, which ranks second in school history, Raudabaugh placed 13th at the meet and now is tied for fourth in the record book with a 54.85, and Lombardi's 55.08 prelim time ranks eighth.
First-year Riley Twiss placed 10th overall in the 200 freestyle, and his 1:38.33 ranks seven in school history. Alex Crossing finished 10th in the 400 IM with a 3:57.06, and Gehrig placed just outside the top 10 with a 48.10 in the 100 butterfly, taking 11th overall.
Bucknell and Loyola jostled for third place at the meet throughout the day. The Greyhounds are currently 40.5 points ahead. Navy leads the meet with 1,058 points.
The fourth and final day of the Patriot League Championships get underway at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the 200 backstroke prelims.
Program Top-10 Performances:
200 Freestyle – Chris Kopac (1:35.72) – school record
100 Butterfly – Chris Fabian (46.92) – school record
200 Freestyle Relay – Chris Fabian, Finn Russell, Justin DiSanto, John Gehrig (1:19.76) – 2nd in school history
100 Butterfly – Finn Russell (48.26) – 3rd in school history (prelims)
400 IM – Andy Dorsel (3:51.78) – 4th in school history
200 Freestyle – Riley Twiss (1:38.33) – 7th in school history
100 Breaststroke – Will Hedges (54.51) – 2nd in school history
100 Breaststroke – Matt Raudabaugh (54.85) – T-4th in school history
100 Breaststroke – James Lombardi (55.08) – 8th in school history (prelims)
A Finals Finishers
100 Butterfly – Chris Fabian (46.92) – 4th Place
400 IM – Andy Dorsel (3:51.78) – 3rd Place
200 Freestyle – Chris Kopac (1:35.72) – 3rd Place
100 Backstroke – Chris Fabian (48.22) – 8th Place
200 Freestyle Relay – Chris Fabian, Finn Russell, Justin DiSanto, John Gehrig (1:19.76) – 4th Place
Players Mentioned
