NEWARK, N.J. - Villanova men's swimming and diving opened its 2026-27 season on Saturday at the NJIT Invitational. The 'Cats placed third, scoring 843 points.
 
The Wildcats kicked off their season with a win in the 200 Free Relay. Max Kunisaki, Gavin Peck, Carter Kobielski, and Zach Sutter swam 1:22.74, the ninth fastest time in program history. The Wildcats continued their relay success with two additional podium finishes later on. The team of Cole Gorsuch, Hugh Boris, Zach Sutter, and Kunisaki were the runner-up in the 400 Medley Relay, finishing in 3:23.70. The Wildcats placed third in the 400 Free Relay to conclude the invitational. Sutter, Kobielski, Peck, and Josh Seidman collectively swam 3:06.98.
 
Villanova's two individual wins came early in the competition, with the Wildcats taking the top two spots in each of the first two events. Justin Nowicki smashed the 400 IM pool record, touching the wall at 3:53.84. Max Christensen was the runner-up in the event, swimming 3:59.45. Zach Sutter followed up his teammate's performance with a win of his own in the 100 Fly. The junior swam 48.79 to earn his first victory of the season. Freshman Carter Kobielski was just behind in second, swimming 49.21 in his collegiate debut. Kobielski's time put him 10^th on the all-time performance list, knocking off teammate Cole Gorsuch, who placed ninth (51.61).
 
Nowicki and Sutter were the top Wildcats in all of their other individual events on the day as well. Sutter was the runner up in the 100 Free (45.72), while Nowicki placed fourth in the 1650 Free (16:12.20) and second in the 200 Fly (1:50.12). Freshman Michael Yuen finished just behind his teammate in the 200 Fly, swimming 1:51.53 to place third in his college debut.
 
Christensen followed up his earlier runner-up performance with another in the 100 Back, as the senior swam 51.16. Villanova earned podium finishes in the longer backstroke event as well. Harrison Short shined in his Wildcat debut, placing second in the 200 Backstroke and touching the wall at 1:52.29. He was joined on the podium by sophomore Quinn O'Mara, who finished third (1:53.36).
 
Hugh Boris earned podium spots in each of his two individual events. The sophomore was the runner up in the 100 Breast (56.45) and placed third in the 200 Breast (2:01.12).
 
Max Kunisaki also reached the podium in one of his individual events, as he was the runner up in the 200 Free (1:41.63).
  
Villanova Men's Swimming next competes on Oct. 24 at home against Georgetown, but not before the women debut their season on Oct. 17 at the Villanova Swim Complex against Connecticut.