Columbia Falls to Crimson in Cambridge

Friday, November 16

Cambridge, Mass.

3:00 P.M.

Columbia University

216

Harvard

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

11/16/2018 6:07:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving

Results (PDF)2018-18 Schedule

In their fourth-straight road dual, the Lions fell to Harvard on Friday at Blodgett Pool

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Competing in its fourth straight road contest, the Columbia men's swimming and diving program fell, 216-83, to the defending Ivy League champions No. 24 Harvard Friday afternoon at Blodgett Pool.

"Harvard is the defending Ivy League champion and they were competing in front of a large alumni crowd, so it was important for them to showcase their talents and they did," said Columbia head coach Jim Bolster. "We really used this as an opportunity to swim some off events and switch some guys around, work on some different relay combinations. Harvard is a very good team."

The Crimson lived up to their national ranking, winning all 16 events in the meet.

Junior Nian-Guo Liu continued to be a standout for the Lions, earning second-place finishes in both the 200-yard freestyle (1:38.08) and 100 freestyle (45.37).

Juniors Cole Stevens and Pearce Kieser also each recorded a runner-up finish, as Stevens turned in a time of 50.58 in the 100 backstroke and Kieser came into the wall at 57.60 in the 100 breaststroke.

On the diving side, senior Kevin Fulton was Columbia's top finisher in both events, placing fourth on both 1-meter (274.58) and 3-meter (233.58)

"Even though it wasn't our best day, there are always lessons to be learned every time you compete," said Columbia diving coach Scott Donie after the meet. "This is a very talented group. We will be looking for redemption in our next meet."

Columbia was without the services of defending Ivy League Diver of the Year, Jonathan Suckow, who was unable to make the trip due to illness. Suckow has swept both boards in each of the three meets he's competed in this season.

The Lions will head to Providence, Rhode Island, in two weeks for the Bruno Invitational hosted by Brown. The midseason meet will run from Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center with a championship format.

"Any time you get to go home is a nice to chance to recharge," said Bolster. "They've been doing very well. Having the first four meets on the road is not easy. We get to go up to the Brown Invite, a three-day meet will give us an opportunity to swim the events that we'll swim at the championship meets and get some prelims and finals experience. So, I think that will be a good three days for us."

For the latest on the Columbia men's swimming and diving program, follow @ColumbiaMenSwim on Twitter, @ColumbiaMenSwimming and @ColumbiaDiving on Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.