NEW YORK -- Junior diver Jonathan Suckow set pool and program records off both the one and three meter boards as Columbia defeated Dartmouth 171-124 on Senior Day. Suckow earned a massive 472.88 score in the three meter event, breezing past the standing record (452.02) he set in 2018. The junior repeated this success in the one meter event, improving his own pool and program record by 23 points (446.93). Suckow remains the only Ivy League diver in history to compete the 109C, having done so against both Cornell (1/30) and Dartmouth (2/5). 

"This day was pure magic," reflect head dive coach Scott Donie. "We had absolute top shelf performances across the board between two new program bests for Johnny and two personal bests for Nick (Leavell). The icing on the cake was Casey Fellos scoring two NCAA zone-qualifying scores-the first of his career! These are the days that may it all worth it!"

Leavell claimed second on both boards, scoring a 365.18 off the three meter and 373.95 off the one. Casey Fellows rounded out the group in third with scores of 321.15 and 340.35, respectively.

Saturday's meet was one for the books in the pool as well. Senior Jonas Kistorp set a new pool record in the 100 back, touching the wall in 50.66. Classmate David Wang hauled in points for Columbia, winning the 100 breast (57.60) and taking second in the 400 IM (3:59.33).

Hayden Liu swam for first in his last meet in Morningside Heights, collecting a top finish in the 100 fly (49.54) fractions of a second ahead of sophomore Noah Czelusta (49.71). Cotninuing the trend of successful seniors, Albert Gwo proved his sprint prowess with wins in both the 50 free (20.92) and fly (22.74). Junior Ray Yang followed Gwo in the 50 fly, swimming for second in 22.87.

The future of Columbia men's swim remains bright as NUMBER of underclassmen earned top finishes. Sophomore Andy Huang won the 50 back (23.57) ahead of first-year Josh Cho (23.98). Demirkan Demir continued a dominant season of breaststroke, winning the 50 yard event in 26.14. Huang and Demir each swam legs of the 200 medley relay, joining Gwo and Liu to capture first.

"This was a good day, a fun day, just as you'd hope for senior day. The athletes did a nice job," noted 38-year head coach Jim Bolster. "We had some nice swims from less familiar names including England who made a championship cut. Dartmouth is making a comeback and they're on the road back after being cut in 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). In the years coming they'll just get faster and faster. Overall today was a success, we got to see a few potential championship events swam and have an even better idea of who to place in which event.  The format of this meet was a lot of sprinting; once we add rest and the championship atmosphere we will see times drops."

Despite exhibitioning the final two events, Columbia's swimmers produced impressive, championship-qualifying marks. Seniors Jesse Braun and Jax England swam for championship-qualifying marks in the 100 IM. Braun's 51.15 result will make him Columbia's top competitor in the event at the Ivy League Championship while England (54.16) will compete at the ECAC Championships.

In his final home meet, Joey Licht earned a fourth place finish in the 100 back (52.70) and swam the opening leg of the 200 medley relay alongside teammates Ike Shirakata, Andrew Fouty, and Keegan Drew.

""These seniors have really proven themselves the last four years and really worked through adversity to get to this day,"concluded Bolster. "I've had many, many classes come through this program but these guys may well be the best."

Columbia will compete at the 2022 Ivy League Championships, hosted by Princeton, from Feb. 23-26.

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