DANBURY, CONN. – The William Paterson men's swimming and diving team (12-2) dominated at Western Connecticut State (5-4) with a 147-83 performance to secure its seventh-straight win Jan. 27 at the William A. O'Neill Athletic & Convocation Center (ONC).
 
TOP PERFORMERS:

• Freshman Justin Melli (Erma, N.J./Lower Cape May Regional) led WP with victories in the 200 free (1:56.88), 200 fly (2:09.03) and 100 free (52.20).
• Senior Brandon Arias (North Haledon, N.J./Passaic County Tech) secured first in the 1,000 free (12:19.91) and 500 free (5:43.84).
• Sophomore Nicky Byrd (Purchase, N.Y./Harrison) finished first in the 200 back (2:12.01).
• Freshman Owen Kane (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) secured his first collegiate individual-event victory in the 200 breast (2:58.10).
• The Pioneers tallied 11 points in the 200-free relay with efforts by Arias, junior Ricardo Ordinola (Lodi, N.J./Passaic County Tech), senior Anthony Newman (Lake Hiawatha, N.J./Parsippany) and freshman Max Russell (Wharton, N.J./Jefferson Twp.), finishing with a time of 1:43.04.

• Nicky Byrd (Purchase, N.Y./Harrison) collected the O'Neill Athletic & Convocation Center pool record in the 200 back with a time of 2:12.01.
•  The Purchase, N.Y. native also shredded time off his 50-back (28.87) and 100-IM bests (1:02.10).
• Justin Melli (Erma, N.J./Lower Cape May Regional) secured the ONC pool record in the 200 fly with a time of 2:09.03.
• The Erma, N.J. native's first-place finish in the 200 fly was also a personal record (2:09.03).
• Ordinola posted a personal best in the 200 free (2:06.90).
• Junior Peter Usher (Boonton, N.J./Mountain Lakes) earned a personal record in the 200 free (2:40.83).
• Newman secured a personal record in the 50 back (34.45).
• Senior Andrew Colligan (Andover, N.J./Sussex County Tech) finished the 50 breast in 31.10 for a personal best.
• Arias notched a personal best in the 100 free (53.94).
• Kane's victory in the 200 breast was a personal record (2:58.10).

• William Paterson returns to action Tuesday, Jan. 30 for a 6:00 p.m. meet at Wightman Pool against Montclair State.

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