Norton, Mass. - February 27, 2010 - Brian Sobel won the one-meter diving competition and set a new school record to lead the Springfield College men's swimming and diving team in the second day of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Swimming and Diving Championships. MIT continued to lead the Championships through the second day, finishing 98 points ahead of second-place United States Coast Guard Academy on Saturday in Wheaton College's Balfour Natatorium. The Engineers have 715 points heading into the final day as they look to repeat, while the Bears have tallied 617. Third-place Springfield College has accumulated 434, while host Wheaton was the biggest mover, vaulting from seventh following Friday's competition into fourth place after Saturday.
Sobel reestablished his school record in the 1-meter 11 dive competition as he ran away with his second-consecutive title with a mark of 542.05. Teammate Matt Fitzgerald finished second in the competition after scoring 466.05 points.
SC's 200 medley relay team finished third in the opening event of the finals as Josh Ernst, Ryan Mackstutis, Scott Mackstutis, and Matt Manoni touched in 1:35.21.
Brian Way finished fourth in the 100 fly in a NCAA provisional time of 51.19, while Ryan Mackstutis took second in the 100 breast with his own NCAA provisional time of 58.05.
The Pride closed out Saturday with a fourth-place finish in the 800 free relay as the team of Andrew Blakesley, Manoni, Tony Lambertson, and Nolan Manley combined for a time of 7:02.39.
Team Standings
1. MIT 715 points
2. Coast Guard Academy 617 points
3. Springfield College 445 points
4. Wheaton College 224 points
5. WPI 208 points
6. Clark University 177 points
7. Babson College 175 points
John Taffe enters his 24th season in 2012-2013 as the head coach of the men's and women's swimming teams at Springfield College. Under Taffe’s leadership, the Pride has returned to its status as one of the best collegiate swimming and diving programs in Division III. Read more.
Peter Avdoulos is regarded as one of the top diving coaches in the nation, and will enter his 28th season as the diving coach for both the men's and women's programs in 2012-2013. The current NEWMAC Men's Diving Coach of the Year, Avdoulos has coached countless All-New England and All-American divers, as well as several National Champions. Read more.