NEW YORK — Strong performances in the early going helped the Columbia men's swimming and diving team wrap up its home slate with a 161-137 victory over the Navy Midshipmen at Uris Pool on Friday afternoon.
 
The Lions honored their four seniors – Shane Brett, Kevin Fulton, Pearce Kieser and Brian Tsau – at the meet.
 
"I was anticipating that it might go to the last relay, but right from the start, our guys dove really well and then we won that first relay which built a lot of momentum," said Columbia head coach Jim Bolster. "When Brian won the 1,000 and Nian-Guo won the 200, that really put us in a good position. We had 92 points by the diving break and that's usually a pretty good sign that you're going to be able to get to 151 first and it was and we did."
 
"The seniors have been a great group to work with," added Bolster. "They like to work hard and it's fun to work with kids who like to work hard. And not only that, but they like to do well. Swimming well is important to them. It was terrific for them to finish up this way with a win."
 
Sophomore diver Jonathan Suckow continued his undefeated season with a pair of wins in the springboard events. He opened up the meet with a 402.83 on 3-meter, before posting a winning score of 378.53 on 1-meter. Fulton also scored for Columbia on both boards, placing fifth in both events.
 
"Great performances by all the divers," said diving coach Scott Donie. "These were some of the best divers we have faced this season and everyone rose to the occasion. Congratulations to Kevin Fulton on his Senior Day. He will be sorely missed, and every team should have someone like Kevin."
 
Similar to the past few meets, the Lions were able to build up their lead in the early events, taking wins in each of the four  events.
 
In the opening 200 medley relay, the Lions' squad of Cole Stevens, Nian-Guo Liu, Jonas Kistorp and Albert Gwo combined to take the race in 1:29.88. Navy's second-place team was disqualified, therefore Columbia's 'B' team of Hayden Liu, Pearce Kieser, Shane Brett and Kevin Dang placed second in 1:32.94.
 
On his senior day, Tsau got the individual racing off to the right foot with a victory in the 1,000-yard freestyle. The Bethesda, Maryland, native recorded a time of 9:28.79 to win the event. He went on to win the 500 free with a time of 4:34.44.
 
Navy began to build a bit of momentum with wins in events five and six, but the Lions responded with three-straight victories to stretch the lead again.
 
Zac Pear led a 1-2 finish for Columbia in the 200 fly, coming into the wall first with a time of 1:51.10. Brett was close behind, posting a 1:51.46.
 
The 50 free continued to be a strong point for Columbia as Gwo led a 1-2-3 sweep in the event. Gwo came in with a time of 20.45, ahead of Kistorp in 20.71 and Dang in 20.97.
 
Posting first- and third-place finishes in the 100 fly, the Lions secured the team victory. Kistorp claimed the triumph in the race with a time of 49.09, while Brett had a bronze-worthy performance in 50.82.
 
Nian-Guo Liu recorded a pair of individual wins for the Lions, first taking the 100 free (44.69) and 200 free (1:37.66). He also posted the fastest time in the 200 IM with a time of 1:50.72, but Columbia raced the event exhibition having already clinched the victory.
 
The Lions capped things off with the fastest time in the 400 free relay, with Gwo, Dang, Adam Osowski and Kistorp combining for a time of 3:02.39, but Columbia again raced exhitbition.
 
Columbia will return to action on Friday, Feb. 1, traveling to Dartmouth for the regular season finale. The meet is set to begin at 5 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.