Flaherty Wins 400 IM to Lead Men's Swimming on Second Day of Centennial Championships

GETTYSBURG, Pa. - Sophomore John Flaherty (pictured) headlined the Swarthmore men's swim team once again in the second day of Centennial Conference Championship competition, winning the team's first individual gold since 2009 and helping the men maintain their fifth-place standing going into the final day of the meet.

Flaherty won the 400 IM in 4:10.11, taking nearly a full second off the 10-year-old Swarthmore record.

Also swimming well in the IM were juniors Charlie Hepper (6th, 4:18.15) and Daniel Duncan (8th, 4:19.99), and sophomore Zach Gavin (9th, won B-final, 4:19.01). Junior Roger Chin cracked the top 8 in the 100 backstroke (55.29). Other notable swims included sophomore Henry Kietzman's 14th place finish in the 100 butterfly (54.66), seniors Lance Liu (12th, 1:01.76) and Dante Fuoco (13th, 1:01.94) and sophomore Stan Le (15th, 1:02.93) in the 100 breaststroke, and seniors Neil Palmer (10th, 55.46) and Tim Brevart (11th, 57.71) in the 100 backstroke.

The Garnet will look to generate some late momentum in the final day of competition tomorrow. Prelims will begin at 10 am, and finals will kick off at 6 pm.

MEDAL COUNT

Gold (1) - Flaherty (400 IM)

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Gettysburg College 578 2. Dickinson College 431 3. Franklin & Marshall College 384 4. Ursinus College 350 5. Swarthmore College 261 6. Washington College 208
7. McDaniel College 122