Results

Kings Point N.Y. - The Villanova men's swimming team returned to the pool after a month hiatus Thursday night, as they defeated the United States Merchant Marine Academy, 160-135, to pick up their first victory of the year.

The men picked up 10-first place, nine-second place, and six-third place victories Thursday.

The Villanova men started off the meet with a victory in the 400 medley relay. The quartet of Luke Sabal, Tyler Nussbaum, Jake Hoin, and Joe Moleski captured first place with a 3:31.86 showing.

The 1000 free saw the Wildcats take home the top two spots as Harrison Rodts took home first place with a 10:01.42 showing. Greg Cino placed second at 10:16.57. The same two would also place 1-2 in the 500 free. Rodts placed first with a time of 4:54.43 while Cino was right behind him at 4:56.78.

Villanova swept the 100 free as Hoin (48.78), John Paul Naughton (49.16), and Moleski (50.04) went 1-2-3 in the event. Moleski would also take home first place in the 50 free as he narrowly beat out USMMA's Matheus Macedo by one hundredths of a second. Moleski finished at 22.36 while Macedo was at 22.37.

The 50 free wasn't the only close event of the night for the Wildcats.

In the 100 breast, Villanova's Tyler Nussbaum won the event by three hundredths of a second over the Mariners' Karl Sasse. Nussbaum touched the wall at 1:00.05 while Sasse was at 1:00.08. Nussbaum would also take home first place in the 200 breast with a 2:11.82 showing.

Francis Garvey earned his first collegiate win in the 100 fly with a 52.18 time. Villanova closed out the meet by taking second and third place in the 200 free relay.

The men will return to the pool next Saturday, January 16th, as the Wildcats square off against the Providence College Friars at noon. Villanova will be honoring five senior men who will be competing at home for the last time in their Villanova careers.