LANCASTER, Pa. – Following the graduation of probably the strongest all-around senior class in the history of the Franklin & Marshall men's swimming program, the Diplomats made their 2022-23 debut on Saturday at the Centennial East Quad Meet. The meet marked the head coaching debut for Joe Acquaviva as his squad notched wins against both Ursinus and McDaniel, falling only to preseason favorite and defending Centennial Conference Champion Swarthmore.

With plenty of chances to step into the spotlight, the Diplomats certainly took advantage of those chances. Matt Hopkins won the 50 Free, while first-years Sam Kamdin (100 Back) and Patrick Rooney (200 Breast) also claimed individual titles during their collegiate debuts. Rooney has already made an impact on the College's record book as his winning time was the 10th-fastest in school history, while he additionally turned in the ninth-fastest time in school history during the 100 Breaststroke as the took a runner-up finish.

Hopkins win in the 50 Free and was part of 1-2 punch for F&M as Ben Lockey finished second in that same event. Hopkins also aided the 200 Medley Relay in its second place showing, with Cameron Mehta, Evan Willertz, and John Devaney also taking part on that team. Hopkins and Devaney were later part of the second place 400 Freestyle Relay which included Sam Kamdin and Matt Hurford.

In addition to the relay success, Devaney (100 Free) and Willertz (200 Back) added second place performances during their individual events. Another first-year with a strong debut was Henry Tavens as he placed third in the 200 Free, while returnee Tim Turnbull took third in the 200 Fly.

Men's swimming will be back at home this Friday at 5:30 p.m. when Gettysburg comes to the Kunkel Aquatic Center. Franklin & Marshall defeated the Bullets during the 2022 Centennial Conference Championships, but it was Gettysburg who was favored in this year's preseason poll according to the conference's head coaches.

Franklin & Marshall Top Three Finishes

John Devaney

• 100 Free (2nd; 47.70)

Matt Hopkins

• 50 Free (1st; 21.44)

Sam Kamdin

• 100 Back (1st; 51.98)

Ben Lockey

• 50 Free (2nd; 21.46)

Patrick Rooney

• 100 Breast (2nd; 59.80) – tied ninth in school history
• 200 Breast (1st; 2:21.64) – 10th in school history

Henry Tavens

• 200 Free (3rd; 1:47.32)

Tim Turnbull

• 200 Fly (3rd; 2:03.55)

Evan Willertz

• 200 Back (2nd; 2:00.92)

200 Medley Relay
2. Matt Hopkins, Cameron Mehta, Evan Willertz, John Devaney (1:35.94)

400 Freestyle Relay
2. Matt Hopkins, John Devaney, Sam Kamdin, Matt Hurford (3:09.36)