Men's swimming saved its best for last. But for the first time this year, its fastest wasn't enough.
For the Tigers, it was a heartbreaking end to an outstanding season. After finishing the regular season 9-0, Princeton was favored to repeat as Eastern champions.
As expected, Princeton and Harvard made the meet a two-team battle. For three days, the Tigers and Crimson traded punishing blows; one or the other won each event. Yet when the dust settled, it was Harvard who stood atop the victor's platform for the seventh time in eight years. The Crimson narrowly edged the Tigers, 1592-1565.
Ironically, Princeton swam the majority of the weekend's most impressive times, setting seven school records. Of the 11 meet records that were broken, nine fell because of Tiger claws. Likewise, Princeton won 13 events, to Harvard's eight.
In the end, however, Harvard's depth and consistency overcame Princeton's blazing speed. The Crimson took second in 10 of the Tigers' 13 victories, minimizing the wins' scoring impact. Princeton managed to take second just twice.
"Their second-tier swimmers were just a little bit more focused and poised to take control of the meet," head coach Rob Orr said.
The meet began well for the Tigers, as they broke team and meet records in Thursday's first event, the 200-yard freestyle (200 free) relay.
Harvard's stars responded quickly though, as John Cole and Dan Shevchik each set meet records on his way to victory. Each would win three events — the maximum allowable. With 96 points, they finished in a three-way-tie for the individual high-scoring title, just as they did last year. Princeton senior Jesse Gage, the third man to chalk up 96 points in both 2002 and 2003, easily took the fourth event, the 50 free. His supersonic 19.53 -second swim not only set another meet record and automatically qualified him for NCAA championships (the 'A' Cut), but it smashed the prior team record by half a second.
Harvard's third star, diver Ricky Roy, then won the one-meter event. Roy also won the 3m competition and was named the meet's top diver.
The Tigers' weak diving was perhaps the biggest drop-off from a year ago. Last year, sophomore Kent DeMond was the meet's outstanding diver; he did not compete at Easterns this year. Coach Orr declined to comment on the reason for his absence.
The big three strike again
Thursday ended and Friday began in similar fashion, as Princeton set meet records in both the 400 and 200 medley relays.
The weekend's big three then struck again, as Cole, Shevchik, and Gage won in succession. Gage's 100 butterfly time set another meet record, broke his own team record, and qualified for another 'A' cut.
Four straight Tiger wins followed, propelling Princeton into first place. First, senior captain Carl Hessler won the 200 free. He finished in fourth place individually, as he did in 2002, scoring 92 points. Senior Garth Fealey then set a meet record, lowered his own team record, and qualified for the 'A' cut in the 100 breaststroke. Classmate Pat Donahue followed with a victory in the 100 backstroke. The Tigers closed the day with an 800 free relay win, taking a slim 11-point lead.
Princeton was doomed by Saturday's first event, the 1650 free, an event that has been a weak-point all year. Led by Cole, Harvard took first, fourth, fifth, and sixth; Princeton could only manage to take 10th through 12th. Suddenly, an 11-point cushion had turned into a 48-point deficit. Although the Tigers fought back, they never recovered.
After another Shevchik victory, Gage set team and meet records for the third time, taking the 100 free. Garth Fealey then won his second event, the 200 breast, as the Tigers placed swimmers third and seventh. Still, Harvard took four of the top seven spots to move further ahead.
Princeton did close the gap, as Hessler took his second event, the 200 fly, in meet-record time. In the final event, the 400 free relay, the Tigers set yet another team and meet record, but it was too little too late.
"We would have liked the outcome to be different, but we accomplished a lot of our goals," Orr said. "It's discouraging, but there's a silver lining."
Gage and Fealey, and most likely Hessler and several relay teams as well, have qualified for NCAA championships at the end of March.
Although scoring well there is one of the Tigers' goals, nothing will diminish the disappointment of failing to take Easterns.
Read More
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Six for six: men’s and women’s track and field both complete triple crown
Luke StocklessMen’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Men’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Nation’s No. 2 miler Mena Scatchard ’25 to transfer to Stanford for graduate year
Luke StocklessThe Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
The Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.