The Princeton Tigers swimming and diving team is set to compete against Ivy League rivals Penn and Cornell at Drexel Pool in Philadelphia, with diving events scheduled to start on November 22 and swimming races to begin on November 23 at 3:00 PM.
During a recent meet, Princeton swimmers showcased remarkable talent by breaking five pool records. Notably, the team’s relay team comprised of Yanning Zhang, Patrick Dinu, Logan Noguchi, and Brett Feyerick set a new record in the 200 medley relay, clocking in at 1:29.94. Zhang himself made waves by breaking the individual record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 47.13, while Dinu followed with a record of 42.91 in the 100 freestyle. Mitch Schott made history in the 200 butterfly, shattering the pool record by 5.5 seconds with a time of 1:42.22, which stands as the second-fastest time in Princeton’s history. The day concluded with the team’s impressive performance in the 400 freestyle, further solidifying their dominance.
Freshman Patrick Dinu began his collegiate career in impressive fashion, breaking both a freshmen and program record in his debut by achieving a time of 42.51 in the 100 freestyle and a 53.49 in the 100 breaststroke. Junior captain Mitch Schott also marked a strong start to the season by breaking his own 200 freestyle record with a time of 1:32.78, currently placing him in the top 10 for four different events.
In diving, Aidan Wang led Princeton’s efforts by winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter events, while teammates Luca Fassi and George Callanan secured second and third places respectively in both categories.
Following these achievements, Princeton climbed to the No. 25 position in the CSCAA dual meet poll for November.
The Tigers have consistently shown their elite prowess, with three members—Aidan Wang, Luca Fassi, and George Callanan—representing the team at the NCAA Championships. Additionally, the team boasts eight returning All-Ivy honorees, signifying the depth of talent in their squad.
With an inspiring diversity, Princeton featured swimmers and divers from 12 different countries at the Olympic trials in pursuit of spots in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Notably, Adell Sabovic represented Kosovo in the 100-meter freestyle and served as the flag bearer during the closing ceremony.
The team has also welcomed ten newcomers as part of the 2028 class, indicating a bright future ahead. Finally, the leadership of the team for the 2024-25 season has been entrusted to captains Mitch Schott, Brett Feyerick, and Tyler Hong.
Overall, the Tigers’ impressive start and their commitment to excellence suggest a promising season ahead, filled with opportunities for both individual and team success.
In summary, Princeton swimming and diving is thriving with record-breaking performances, promising newcomers, and a strong foundation of returning talent, which positions the team well as they head into the competitive season. This reflects a strong spirit of growth and potential within the program.