Who knew Lions could swim?
The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Championships at the Nassau County Aquatic Center was Lions' territory as the College received four individual awards, including a second-place finish for the men's team and a third-place finish for the women.
Junior Ava Kiss was named Female Swimmer of the Meet, while sophomore Greg Lloyd received Diver of the Meet honors. Head coach Brian Bishop was named the Men's Coach of the Meet and diving coach Candice Gottlieb received co-diving Coach of the Meet Honors.
The men's squad placed second behind New York University (NYU), as the Violets totaled 770.5 points compared to 759 points for the Lions in the 14-team competition.
NYU also captured the women's title with a total of 811.5 points, while Gettysburg College finished in second with 460.5 points and the Lions women placed third with 428 points in the 13-team competition.
Lloyd won the one- and three- meter events to earn Diver of the Meet honors. The Lions sophomore received a score of 397.5 to win the three-meter event and won the one-meter event with a score of 440.75.
"I did not know that the ECACs gave out a Diver of the Meet award, so I was excited to receive it," Lloyd said.
"Greg Lloyd is an extremely, naturally talented diver," Gottlieb said. "He has only been diving a little over a year."
Kiss set a meet record with a qualifying time in the 100-meter butterfly in 57.28. She also won the 200-meter individual medley in 2:11.93 and was a key contributor in the Lions' second place 400-meter freestyle relay team and the second place 400-meter medley relay team.
The record-setting Kiss also finished in second place in the 200 freestyle in 1:55.13 and won the 200 butterfly in 2:08.51, while beating a school record of 2:09.15 set in 2002 by Allyson Hafner.
The men's squad won the 400-meter medley relay race in 3:34.23 with a rotation of junior Kevin Oliver, freshman Myles O'Connor, junior Josh Forsman and senior captain Kyle King.
Sophomore Mike Molloy won the 500-meter freestyle in 4:44.27, while also placing sixth in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:47.10.
Forsman placed second in the 100-meter butterfly in 51.68 and took fifth in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:00.64.
King placed third in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:44.92 and sixth in the 50-meter freestyle in 21.82.
Junior captain Liam Gallagher finished second in both the 100-meter backstroke in 54.51 and the 400-meter individual medley in 4:16.14. Gallagher also took third place in the 200-meter individual medley in 1:58.50.
The College's men's squad placed third in both the 200-meter freestyle relay (1:27.17) and the 400-meter freestyle relay (3:09.27). The rotation for the 200-meter free relay included Forsman, King, sophomore Thomas Nawrot and Gallagher. The 400-meter free relay included Nawrot, Gallagher, Forsman and King.
Sophomore Emily Reichard captured third in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:08.82 and took eighth place in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:17.30.
Senior diver Lee Swanson grabbed second place in the three-meter diving event with a score of 378.60.
The Lions women placed third in the 400-meter medley relay in 4:05.92 with a rotation of junior Christine Marino, Kiss, Reichard and senior Kerry Genese.
Freshman Stephanie Seto placed fourth in the 500-meter freestyle in 5:22.31
The College's women's squad also placed sixth in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:42.46 with a rotation of sophomore Brittany Collyer, freshman Ashley Robb, senior Julie Nami and Genese.
The Lions women also took second place in the 400-meter freestyle relay in 3:42.30 with Nami, Robb, Genese and Kiss.
Lions swimming and diving continues Jan. 19 as the College hosts West Chester University and Johns Hopkins University at 5 p.m.
