PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton Tigers swimming and diving team is gearing up for a competitive meet in Philadelphia, taking on Ivy League rivals Penn and Cornell. The event will be held at Drexel Pool, starting with diving competitions on November 22 and followed by the pool events on November 23 at 3:00 PM.
The Tigers recently shattered five pool records at their last competition. The impressive performance included Yanning Zhang, Patrick Dinu, Logan Noguchi, and Brett Feyerick setting a new benchmark in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:29.94. Zhang also made a splash by breaking the individual record in the 100 backstroke with a swift 47.13 seconds, while Dinu secured the 100 freestyle title with a remarkable time of 42.91 seconds. In the 200 butterfly, Mitch Schott set a new pool record clocking in at 1:42.22, making it the second-fastest time in Princeton’s history. The day concluded with a strong performance in the 400 freestyle relay, where Schott, Zhang, Noguchi, and Dinu claimed victory with a time of 2:54.26.
Freshman sensation Patrick Dinu made his collegiate debut on November 9, breaking both the freshman and program records in the 100 freestyle, with a stellar time of 42.51 seconds, and setting a new freshman record in the 100 breaststroke at 53.49 seconds.
Junior captain Mitch Schott launched the 2024-25 season with an exceptional performance, improving his record in the 200 freestyle to 1:32.78, while also ranking among the top 10 fastest times for four different events.
In diving, sophomore Aidan Wang led Princeton’s efforts, clinching victories in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Teammates Luca Fassi and George Callanan placed second and third in the 1-meter dive, while Callanan secured the second position in the 3-meter.
Following a strong start to the season, Princeton has risen to the No. 25 spot in the latest CSCAA dual meet poll.
Three Tigers – Aidan Wang, Luca Fassi, and George Callanan – represented the team at the NCAA Championships on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards, with Callanan also competing on the platform.
The Tigers return eight All-Ivy honorees from the previous season, including Wang and Noah Sech who earned First Team honors, while Tyler Hong and others received Second Team distinctions across various events.
Princeton’s program continues to make a mark on the international stage, with swimmers and divers from 12 different countries participating in the Olympic trials. This includes notable athletes like Yanning Zhang (Australia) and Patrick Dinu (Romania), each chasing dreams of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Adell Sabovic flew the flag for Kosovo as he participated and served as the flag bearer during the closing ceremony.
The Tigers also welcome a new class of 10 freshman recruits for the class of 2028, including Tomaz Chevres, Santiago Gutierrez, and Patrick Dinu, among others.
For the 2024-25 season, the team’s leadership will be in good hands with captains Mitch Schott, Brett Feyerick, and Tyler Hong at the helm.
In summary, Princeton swimming and diving is not only showcasing remarkable talent and record-breaking performances but also building a promising future with their new recruits and established leadership. As they approach their next meet, the excitement and potential for continued success are palpable, offering hope for a thrilling season ahead.