PRINCETON, N.J. — The Columbia men's swimming and diving team is back in action this weekend, making a trip to New Jersey for their mid-season invitational. Columbia will participate in Princeton's Big Al Invite which will begin on Friday, December 6 and run through Sunday December 8.  


LAST YEAR'S EVENT
At the Big Al Invitational last year, the Lions finished in fifth place scoring 434 points. Host Princeton won the competition with a final score of 891.5. 

Demirkan Demir was the star of the show for Columbia, finishing in second place in both breatstroke events. First was the 100-breast with a time of 53.51, followed by the 200-breast when he touched the wall with a time of 1:55.72

Isaac Beers followed up his fourth place finish in the 100-back earlier in the competition with a fifth-place finish in the 200-back later in the weekend, clocking in with a time of 1:43.90.

Zion James had a great showing in the sprinting events, clocking in with a time of 43.77 in the 100-free which was good for fourth place. 


LAST TIME OUT
Last time out, Columbia took on the Harvard Crimson in an Ivy meet. The Lions had some great swims, but ultimately the Crimson came away with a 201-99 win. 

Stephen Zhukov got things started with a bang, winning the first individual swimming event of the day. He touched the wall first in the 1650 free, clocking in at 15:35.68. 

Joshua Corn also had a solid day, winning the 200 breast with a time of 1:59.42. He also took home second in the 100 breast with a time of 55.38. 

Gian Santos continued his strong rookie campaign, winning the 400 IM with a time of 3:57.62. He also placed second in the 200 free thanks to a time of 1:37.78. 


ON DECK
Following the Big Al Invite, the Lions will take a break for the holidays before returning to action on January 11 against Brown at Uris Natatorium. 
 
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.