BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The William Paterson men's swimming and diving team opened the 2025-26 season at the Gryphons Sprint Carnival Oct. 18, finishing 2-0 with decisive wins over Sarah Lawrence College (0-2),164-30, and St. Joseph's College, Long Island (1-1), 167-47.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Sophomore Ismael Lamar (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) touched the wall first in the 200 free (2:09.53).
- Senior Nicky Byrd (Purchase, N.Y./Harrison) posted first-place finishes in the 50 back (28.89) and 100 back (1:01.45).
- Junior Justin Melli (Erma, N.J./Lower Cape May Regional) finished first in the 100 fly (59.87), 200 free (1:55.97) and 100 IM (1:03.86).
- Sophomore Mario Pontidis (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex) secured first-place victories in the 100 free (51.81) and 50 fly (26.88).
- Junior Owen Kane (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) clinched first place in the 100 breast (1:13.24).
- The Pioneers placed first in the 200 medley relay (1:56.01) with efforts from Byrd, Kane, freshman Andre Miguel Ovejas (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick), and freshman Horain Reid (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Central).
- WP finished first in the 200 free relay (1:39.21) with efforts from Pontidis, Byrd, Melli, and junior Max Russell (Wharton, N.J./Jefferson Twp.).
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson hosts Baruch College on Friday, Oct. 24, for a 6:00 p.m. meet.
