Gwo Wins 50 Free, Lions Sweep Relays to Open Bruno Invite

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

Gwo Wins 50 Free, Lions Sweep Relays to Open Bruno Invite

11/30/2018 9:37:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving

Columbia kicked off action at the Bruno Invite on Friday, claiming three victories on the day

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Columbia men's swimming program had a successful first day at Brown's Bruno Invite on Friday, claiming three victories overall, including a sweep of the relay events. With 304 points, the Lions sit second in team scoring, narrowly trailing Princeton with 314 points.

Columbia opened up Friday's finals session with a bang, picking up the 200 free relay victory with a time of 1:19.60. The Lions used the squad of first-year Jonas Kistorp (20.17), junior Nian-Guo Liu (19.92), junior Kevin Dang (20.21) and sophomore Albert Gwo (19.30) to get the job done.

Continuing to show strength in the sprint freestyle events, Gwo went on to win the 50 free crown with a personal-best time of 19.77, a mark which now ranks third among Columbia's all-time performers. He led a 1-2 finish as Kistorp earned a runner-up finish in the race, going 20.00 flat.

With a second-place showing, Nian-Guo Liu led a Columbia group which earned four of the top eight times in the event. Liu went 1:47.46 to take runner-up, while senior Shane Brett placed fourth (1:47.76), junior Cole Stevens was sixth (1:49.69) and first-year Hayden Liu was eighth (1:51.65).

In the 500 free, junior Zach Pear picked up Columbia's top finish, posting a season-best time of 4:28.89. Senior Brian Tsau was sixth with a time of 4:29.50.

The Lions wrapped up a successful first day with another crown in the 400 medley relay, using Stevens (48.36), Nian-Guo Liu (55.07), Kistorp (47.57) and Gwo (43.45).

Looking for more strong performances on Saturday, Columbia will continue with day two of the Bruno Invite, competing in the 200 medley relay, 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back and 800 free relay. Prelims will kick off at 10 a.m., with finals beginning at 6 p.m.

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.