Coming off a national runner-up finish in 2018, the Emory University Men's Swimming and Diving program kicked off the 2018-19 season on Saturday, winning all but one events en route to a 186-102 victory over Birmingham-Southern College at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, AL.
The Eagles swept all 14 swimming events on the afternoon including five swimmers earning multiple event wins. Senior Thomas Gordon took first in the 500 Free (4:41.72) and 1000 Free (9:37.77) while classmate Trey Kolleck touched first in the 50 Free (21.10) and 100 Free (47.15).
Freshmen Pat Pema, Jason Hamilton and Calvin Furbee all netted a pair of event wins in their Emory debuts with Pema taking first in both Backstrokes (100- 52.42; 200-1:53.76), Hamilton claiming the Breaststrokes (100-59.92; 200-2:10.02) and Furbee in the Butterflies (100-53.04; 200-1:57.12).
In addition, the Eagles registered solo event wins by sophomore Kellen Stillman in the 200 Freestyle (1:43.67), freshman Sean Byman in the 200 IM (1:56.60) and freshman Lucas Bumgarner in the 3-meter dive (322.50).
The Eagles also touched first in both relay events contested on Saturday as Kolleck along with newcomers Lawrence Redmond, Tyler Russell and Will Schuler won the 200 Medley Relay in a time of 1:35.71 while Kolleck teamed with seniors Alex Kohlman, Matt Rogers and junior Andrew duPont to win the 200 Free Relay with a mark of 1:25.64.
Emory is back in action next Saturday against Division II power Queens University of Charlotte. The meet is set to get underway at the Madeleine Jude Brown Aquatic Center at 1:00 PM.