POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 5, 2016) – The Vassar College men's swimming and diving team came out strong in their first Liberty League matchup of the season, prevailing over Skidmore College 170-122. 
 
            The Brewer's first test was the 200 medley relay, where they fell to the Thoroughbred's 1:41.19 by just .61 seconds.  However, after freshman Jordan Kalina's decisive win in the 1000 free (10:37.52), Vassar took command of the meet. Kalina also stepped up in the 500 free with a first place finish (5:05.96), accompanied by Ian LaBash (5:08.26) and Walter Gabriel (5:37.03).  
 
            Senior Anthony Walker stunned with a 1:49.10 in the 200 free, good enough to overtake Thoroughbred senior Gabriel Salitan-Alvarez. LaBash (1:53.85) and Jose Rojas (2:14.54) tallied a third and fifth place, respectively, making it one of Vassar's strongest events of the day.  Walker came back to the pool as strong as he left it; only a couple of events later, as he won the 200 fly (2:02.48).  Freshman Harrison Taylor added to his efforts with a 2:14.00, garnering a third place finish. 
 
            The 50 free yielded even more Vassar success: Lukas Harries (22.99) and Matthew Imiolek (23.61) flew to a 1-2 victory.  Rounding out the individual events, Jonah Strand (2:04.05, 1st), Luke Morrison (2:09.98, 2nd), and Patrick Lai (2:21.94, 5th) pulled together 14 points in the 200 IM.  In the 400 free relay, the Vassar men put up some impressive splits among the three relays that swam: Walker (49.16), LaBash (50.25), and Taylor (51.69).
 
            Divers Michael Deiner (177.90, 2nd) and Connor Martin (138.07, 3rd) pulled in much-needed 1-meter diving points with significant improvement from the season opener vs. Bard on October 26. 
 
            "Vassar had a great team performance today against Skidmore," said head coach Lisl Prater-Lee.  "We needed everyone's help and that is what happened.  Vassar was tested today and we rose to the occasion."
 
            The Brewers will return to Kresge Pool on November 12 at 1pm, where they will face another Liberty League opponent, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.