Complete ResultsBabson Park, Mass. -- January 28, 2012 -- In its next-to-final tune-up before next month's NEWMAC Championships, the Springfield College men's swimming and diving team defeated host Babson College in a closely contested dual meet, 156-142, at the Morse Swimming Center on Saturday afternoon. With the win, Springfield heads into its final dual meet of the season next weekend at Amherst with a record of 4-7.
Babson closes its regular season competition with a team record of 7-5.
Josh Ernst (West Springfield, Mass.) had a big day in the win for Springfield, recording first-place finishes in the 50 back, 100 back, and 200 IM. Sophomore Benjamin Ernst (West Springfield, Mass.) added a win in the 100 fly, while junior Nolan Manley (Monson, Mass.) took first in the 200 free, and sophomore Dalton Crantek (Saugerties, N.Y.) and senior Tyler Gunningsmith (Trumansburg, N.Y.) won the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events, respectively.
Babson earned wins in nine of the 16 events, including two victories apiece from sophomore Isaac Breen-Franklin (Severna Park, Md.), sophomore Steven Jacobi (Cranbury, N.J.), and senior Joe Kent (Moscow, Russia). Breen-Franklin placed first in the 500 and 1000 freestyle events, Jacobi added wins in the 50 and 100 breaststroke competitions, and Kent prevailed in the 50 and 100 freestyle sprints.
John Taffe enters his 25th season in 2013-2014 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 29th season as the diving coach for both the men's and women's programs in 2013-2014. The current NEWMAC Women's and 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.