Princeton University Athletics
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Manhard Diving Sweep Highlights Senior Day Loss To No. 17 N.C. State
January 10, 2015 | Men's Swimming and Diving
Senior Michael Manhard made sure Senior Night at DeNunzio Pool had some senior victories for the Princeton men's swimming and diving team. Though the Tigers fell to No. 17 N.C. State 180-113, Manhard gave Princeton its two individual victories of the evening.
Manhard would love to close his DeNunzio career with wins at the Ivy League Championships (Feb. 26-28), but he made Senior Night special with a diving sweep. He won the 1-meter event with 302.47 points, and he followed with a victory in the 3-meter event (316.20 points).
Princeton opened the meet with a runner-up finish in the 200 medley relay, as the quartet of Michael Strand, Teo D'Alessandro, Connor Maher and Julian Mackrel finished in 1:28.42.
D'Alessandro gave Princeton its best early individual finish, taking second in the 200 free in 1:38.64. Reigning Ivy League champion Michael Strand took third in the 100 back (49.43), while another former Ivy League champion, Connor Maher, took third in the 200 back in 1:49.02.
Former NCAA qualifier Byron Sanborn added a runner-up finish in the 100 breast (56.29). Sanborn reached NCAAs as a freshman, and that is the same goal for current Tiger rookie Corey Okubo, who finished second in both the 200 fly (1:48.36) and the 400 IM (3:54.34).
Sophomore Brett Usinger also earned a runner-up finish, going 2:03.92 in the 200 breast, while classmate Sam Smiddy took third in the 400 IM in 3:58.92.
The 200 free relay of Ben Schafer, Connor Maher, Alex Lewis and Julian Mackrel placed second in 1:21.36.
"I'm really proud of how we raced today against one of the best teams in the NCAA," assistant coach Mitch Dalton said. "The guys have put in two of the best weeks of training during a period of exam prep, writing papers and limited sleep. They had every reason and excuse to back down; however, from the 200 medley relay to the 200 free relay they raced hard with no excuses.
"We are so grateful to N.C. State for giving us our toughest challenge of the year to date," Dalton added. "If we want to be the best we can be at the end of the year, we knew we had to race the best. I think we did that tonight and we will be better in 47 days because of it."
Princeton will now break for Finals, but will return Jan. 31-Feb. 1 for its annual H-Y-P showdown weekend, which will be held at Blodgett Pool in Boston.
Princeton honored its 12-member Class of 2015 during Friday's meet:
Diogo Adrados
Oliver Bennett
Mauricio Gonzalez-Aranda
Victor Hsiao
Conner Jager
Andrew Klutey
Connor Maher
Michael Manhard
David Paulk
Michael Strand
Caleb Tuten
Harrison Wagner