WELLESLEY, Mass. – The Husson University men's swimming & diving team turned in a strong Friday night performance at the Little East Championships, highlighted by multiple championship final appearances and two conference final victory, as Husson sits fourth in the team standings with 240 points through 18 events.
Husson opened the evening with a statement in the 200-yard freestyle relay, as the Eagles' relay captured the conference title in 1:25.53, anchored by the team of seniors Ryan Emerson, Brady Hand, Alex Walsh and Brayden Champlin, finishing first overall in the championship final. The time set a new LEC championship meet record and a new Husson program record in the event.
In the 500-yard freestyle, freshman Bryce Upton competed in the championship final and placed seventh overall in 5:14.00. Fellow freshman Andrew Prince represented Husson in the consolation final, touching 10th in 5:33.18.
The Eagles placed two swimmers in the 100-yard butterfly championship final, where senior Sam Peiser finished third in 52.65 and senior Lucas Fendl followed in fourth in 54.10.
Sophomore Jake Perkins qualified for the championship final in the 50-yard breaststroke, finishing seventh in 28.51.
Husson dominated the 200-yard backstroke championship final, led by Walsh, who claimed the conference title in 1:54.76, setting both an LEC championship meet record and a Husson program record in the race. Freshman Mac Morris placed sixth in 2:11.90, and senior Jacob Brown added an eighth-place finish in 2:15.51, giving the Eagles three championship finalists in the event.
In the sprint events, Emerson and Champlin both advanced to the 50-yard freestyle championship final, finishing third (22.04) and fourth (22.05), respectively.
The Eagles capped the individual events in the 200-yard individual medley championship final, where Hand placed second overall in 1:57.94, setting a new program record in the event and freshman Kobe Swett added a fifth-place finish in 2:04.06.
Husson also competed in the 400-yard medley relay championship final, finishing third in 3:36.05 to close out the night.
The Eagles will look to build on a successful Friday evening and climb the rankings on the final two days of the championships.
