Princeton University Athletics
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Veteran Swim Coach Rob Orr Seeks Win No. 300 As Princeton Opens Ivy Season
November 20, 2014 | Men's Swimming and Diving
When a young graduate of USC took over as the head coach of the Princeton men's swimming and diving team, the nation was still buzzing about a memorable NCAA basketball final played by guys named Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The president was Jimmy Carter, a gallon of gas cost 86 cents and the walkman was the most popular Christmas gift.
Things have changed, but the men's swimming coach has not. And Princeton is better off because of it.
| Date • Time • Opponents | Nov. 21 • 3 pm • Cornell (2-1, 1-1) and Penn (1-1, 0-1) |
| Weekend Links | Live Results l Live Video |
| Follow On Twitter | @PUCSDT l @PUTigers l @PUTigers_Live |
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| Cornell Big Red |
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| What's Up Next | Dec. 3-6: Winter Nationals; Dec. 5-7: Brown Invitational |
Rob Orr, now in his 36th season as the Tiger men's swimming & diving head coach, will seek his 300th victory Friday afternoon when Princeton makes its home and Ivy League debut against both Penn and Cornell. The meet, which will include a women's double-dual against the same two programs, begins at 3 pm.
Orr has led Princeton to 21 Ivy League championships, including seven of the last nine, and he shows no signs of slowing down. The Tigers have brought in another highly touted recruiting class to enhance an already strong roster, and Princeton had some strong performances to build off during a season-opening meet at Ohio State.
Juniors Teo D'Alessandro and Byron Sanborn both earned victories over their nationally ranked opponent. D'Alessandro won both the 500 free and the 200 IM, while Sanborn, took the 200 breast, while placing second in the 100 breast.
Freshman Corey Okubo, the highest-ranked recruit of the strong Class of 2018, earned his first collegiate victory, claiming the 400 IM.
Reigning Ivy League champion Michael Strand finished third in the 100 back, while Harrison Wagner and Julian Mackrel went 2-3 in the 50 free. Connor Maher took second in the 200 back in 1:48.09.
Cornell comes into the weekend with a 2-1 record, including a victory over Dartmouth two weeks ago. Sophomore Dylan Sali had a particularly strong meet, sweeping both back races and also winning the 200 IM. Freshmen Brandon Sweezer was a double winner in his Ivy League debut, taking both the 500 and the 1000.
Penn is coming off a third-place finish at the 2014 Ivy League Championships; the highlight of that performance was by current junior Chris Swanson, who won both the 500 and the mile to claim Swimmer of the Meet honors. Penn is 1-1 this season, including a home win over Connecticut; freshman Alex Peterson picked up his first collegiate win in the 200 fly.
Princeton won't return home until January, when it will face Patriot League champion Navy (Jan. 3) and N.C. State (Jan. 9). DeNunzio Pool will serve as the host for the 2015 Ivy League Championships, which will be held Feb. 26-28.