EWING TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The Franklin & Marshall men's swimming team, ranked No. 16 in the latest national polls, put its undefeated season on the line in a nationally-ranked battle with No. 15 The College of New Jersey on Saturday. The Diplomats (10-1) had the upper hand by a single point halfway through the meet before the Lions rallied for the 141-121 victory.
Challenging themselves throughout the year against some of the top teams across the country, the Diplomats' first setback ultimately brought to an end a 24-dual winning streak that dated back to January of 2019.
Franklin & Marshall touched first in both of the relay events that were contested and claimed four individual champions against the tough opposition. Brendan Cline led those individual efforts with a pair of wins in the 50 yard freestyle (20.85) and 100 yard butterfly (49.72). Alec Wahl took first in the 100 yard backstroke (52.50), while Tom Graminski conquered the 100 yard breaststroke (58.01).
Those three individual winners were also a part of both of the Diplomats' relay victories, contesting the 200 yard medley and 400 yard freestyle. Christopher Schiavone anchored the 200 yard medley relay that came home with a time of 1:32.28 seconds. John Devaney closed out the 400 yard freestyle relay that touched with a time of 3:06.81. Franklin & Marshall's winning relays rank sixth and eighth, respectively, in all of Division III.
Franklin & Marshall nearly swung the momentum of the meet in its favor, only to be edged at the wall in very competitive finishes. Schiavone added runner-up finishes to his relay victory in the 50 yard freestyle (45.59) and 200 yard freestyle (1:42.88). He was just out-touched by five-hundredths of a second during his sprint event. Graminski added a runner-up finish in the 200 yard breaststroke (2:07.89), just one-tenth of a second behind the event winner. He continued to rack up the points for his team with another second place finish in the 200 yard individual medley (1:57.30).
The Diplomats also received second-place points from Matt Hopkins in the 100 yard backstroke (53.33), Ryan Lawlor in the 200 yard butterfly (2:00.24), Evan Willertz in the 200 yard backstroke (1:58.88), and Willem Stoll in the 500 yard freestyle (4:50.50).
Resetting quickly, the Diplomats will turn their attention to the Centennial Conference Championships where they will be considered one of the favorites to capture the conference title after an undefeated season against Centennial foes. Franklin & Marshall will serve as the host institution of the Centennial Conference Championships which get underway on Thursday, February 17 and continue through Sunday, February 20.
Franklin & Marshall Event Champions
Brendan Cline
- 50 Yard Freestyle (20.85)
- 100 Yard Butterfly (49.72)
Alec Wahl
- 100 Yard Backstroke (52.50)
Tom Graminski
- 100 Yard Breaststroke (58.01)
200 Yard Medley Relay
400 Yard Freestyle Relay
