ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NY (October 26, 2016) – The Vassar College men's swimming started its 2016-17 season on Wednesday evening, topping the Raptors of Bard College in action from the Stevenson Athletic Center.

The Brewers got a strong first meet from a number of swimmers and divers, as the Brewers posted a 130-85 victory over the Raptors. Junior Jonah Strand won the 100 breast stroke with a time of 59.72, while freshman Jordan Kalina earned the win in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:56.46.

Senior captain Anthony Walker topped Bard College standout Dio Tzortzis by two hundredths, winning the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.19. Fellow senior Patrick Lai also had a strong swim in the 100 breast stroke, posting a 1:05.30.

Freshman Harrison Taylor finished third in the competitive 100 fly, as he posted a time of 57.61. Lukas Harries won the 100 free with a time of 51.51, while Ian LaBash was third after finishing with a 52.71. Senior Chris Cerutti won the 100 backstroke for Vassar, as the only swimmer under a minute at 58.79, while VC also earned 2-3 in the event as Luke Morrison was second in a time of 1:01.76 and Kyle Gray took third in 1:06.28. 

Kalina was back at it for the Brewers in the 500 free, as he showed a strong distance prowess with a win with a time of 5:11.23, and Yoav Yaron was fourth in 6:34.67. 

On the boards, sophomore Michael Deiner had a strong first collegiate meet, as he won the 3-meter diving event with a score of 175.90. He also topped the results in the 1-meter event, as he posted a six-dive total of 166.45. Junior teammate Connor Martin was second in the 1-meter with a 138.35.

"In our sixth week of practice we were expecting to see many race elements start to come into play," said head coach Lisl Prater-Lee. "We did. VC swimmers were excited. VC divers, many of them newer the sport, were outstanding.  Great program start.  Two victories is wonderful, too."

The Brewer are back in action on November 5 in Kresge Pool, hosting the Thoroughbreds in Skidmore College at 1 p.m. in the first home meet of the year.