USMMA Caps Competition At NCAA Championships

DAYTON, Ohio - The United States Merchant Marine Academy men's swimming and diving team finished 25th at the NCAA Championships on Saturday with 34.5 points. Freshman Nicholas Halbach was named an All-American for the second time after placing second in the 3-meter diving event. Kenyon won its 29th straight national championship and finished with 635 points.  

Halbach became the first diver in the history of the program to garner All-American honors in both events as a freshman after placing second overall on the high board with 504.5 points. He was also an All-American on the low board for placing fourth overall two days ago. He was also the first diver to earn such recognition since Joel Meyer did it as a senior in 2004.  

"This is just a tremendous accomplishment for our program," said Head Diving Coach Kevin Ryan on Halbach. "It is adding more history to the wall outside of the pool. I am extrememly proud of his tenacity and showmanship after blowing his fourth dive. He came back on his fifth and sixth dives extremely strong, which is the sign of a true competitor. He is definitely going to be a force to reckon with for the next three years in Division III."  

Freshman John Fields and senior Jay Carpenter also competed in the morning. Fields was 28th in the 200 yard breaststroke with a time of 2:10.75. Carpenter placed 29th in the 200 yard backstroke in 1:57.12.  

"I was really excited about how we performed this weekend," said Head Coach Sean Tedesco. "Our number one goal is to make the national championships and finish in the top 30, and we did that. I am really happy to bring two freshmen to nationals. This was the first time in my tenure that we had two freshman compete in individual events."  

This was the sixth time in the seven-year Sean Tedesco coaching era that the Mariners placed in the top 30 at the championship event. In addition to Halbach bringing back All-American honors in both diving events, Carpenter was named an All-American yesterday for the third straight season in the 100 yard breaststroke after he tied for 14th in the event.