NEW YORK -- First-year Demirkan Demir set a Columbia record (1:54.28) while claiming victory in the 200 breaststroke on the final day of the Big Al Invite, hosted by Princeton University. In its final meet of 2021, the Columbia men's swim and dive program earned a third place result (615.5) behind the University of Utah in first (1075.5) and Princeton in second (1015.5).

Recaps from Day One and Day Two can be found at GoColumbiaLions.com.
 

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Head coach Jim Bolster was honored with the Big Al Trophy on the final day of competition. The award is granted to "the sportswoman and sportsman who demonstrate superior dedication to the sport of swimming and diving through inspiration to their teammates.Leader of the Lions since 1984, Bolster's career has spanned 37 years and touched the lives of hundreds of athletes and coaches. 

"Overall we were pleased with the weekend. The team raced hard and they raced a lot," reflected Bolster. "Our goal was to get a lot of competition in this weekend and we did. I feel good about the swimming we did and our newcomers learned a lot through this meet. This was a great way to end the year."

Sophomore Stanford Li swam for second in the meet's longest event, the 1,650. Li completed the mile-long event in 15:19.40 (D1B).

Rookies Kyle Won and Joshua Cho combined for 24 points in the 200 back. Won claimed third in 1:46.06 followed by Cho in eighth (1:48.18). Won, Demir, Jonas Kistorp, and Thomas Shepanzyk closed the meet with a seventh place finish in the 400 yard free relay (2:59.43).

The Columbia women's divers joined the men's swimmers at Big Al, taking to the platform on the final day of competition. First-year Macy Pine led the Lions with a fifth place finish (218.90), followed by senior Michelle Lee in ninth (209.50) and Briget Rosendahl in 19th (175.20).

Our women were beyond amazing. Due to Covid protocols we have not been able to train on platform at all this semester. Briget and Michelle haven't been on platform in 21 months," noted head dive coach Scott Donie. "To come out here and compete is a real accomplishment and a statement about their character. Macy hasn't been on platform in over four months. I am so proud of these women."

The Lions will return to competition in 2022, traveling to Ivy League rival Brown on Jan. 15. 

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