The Bison men’s swim and dive team started their three-day Bucknell Invitational on Nov. 18. Despite finishing in second the first two days, the Bison were able to finish strong and move up to first place by the end of the meet.

They finished with a total of 1,346.5 points, overcoming Delaware who held first place after the first two days.

The first day, the Bison finished with 383.5 points, only slightly trailing Delaware (392). The 200 freestyle relay had a record breaking performance and beat last year’s Patriot League Championship time at 1:19.46. Justin DiSanto ’25, Leo Kuyl ’23, John Gehrig ’24 and Chris Fabian ’24 were the swimmers from the first place, record-breaking finish. Fabian, Gehrig and Kuyl also added a second place finish in the 400 medley relay. They finished with a time of 3:16.71, third in school history. Additionally, Gehrig had a first place finish in the 200 IM.

Chirs Kopac ’25 (500 freestyle), Alex Crossing ’26 (500 freestyle) and Andy Dorsel ’25 (200 IM) each added top-five finishes in their respective races. Nick Pirone ’23 finished eighth in the three-meter dive (187.20)

“We had a great season of training up to this point,” Gehrig said. “It was important to keep in mind that there is still a long season ahead of us, so even if the team is where we want to be, there is still plenty of time until February to get better.”

The Bison resumed the next morning at Kinney Natatorium and were able to finish the day with two first place finishes and three top-10 times. At the end of the meet the Bison tallied 904.5 total points, continuing to trail Delaware (974). 

Gehrig, Shane Wynne ’26, DiSanto and Kopac were a part of the first place finish in the 800 freestyle with a time of 6:37.40 (seventh in school history). Dorsel secured the other first place finish in the 400 IM, beating swimmers from eight other schools at the meet. 

DiSanto, Kuyl, Fabian and Gehrig gathered a second place finish in the 200 medley relay. Gehrig and Kopac additionally each finished second in the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle, respectively. DiSanto also managed to acquire a spot in the programs top-10 list for the 100 breaststroke.

The match finished up Sunday morning, and the Bison were able to pull off two first-place wins and 12 top-eight finishes to secure first place in the Bucknell Invitational.

Gehrig, DiSanto, Fabian and Kuyl sealed the deal with their first place finish in the 400 freestyle relay. Their time of 2:57.27 not only got them a first place finish, but is registered as the programs second fastest time in this event. Gehrig also came in first for the 200 butterfly, one of the five first place finishes he was a part of during the weekend. Wynne placed fourth in the 200 butterfly and Dorsel placed fifth. 

Braden Beagle ’26 and Disanto had top-10 finishes in the 200 backstroke and 100 freestyle, respectively. Kuyl also added a second place win in the 100 freestyle. Lastly, DiSanto (100 freestyle) and Kopac (1650 freestyle) finished in third place in their respective events. 

“The team was able to come together and race fast in the morning to make it back to finals and help put us in the best position to score as many points as possible,” Gehrig said. “We were able to capitalize during finals by racing fast, winning events and relays and placing better at finals than we did in prelims.”

The men’s swim and dive team now hold a record of 5-1 after their successful weekend at home in the Bucknell Invitational. 

“It feels good to know that all the hard work being put in during the season is paying off in fast times and event wins for the team,” Gehrig said.