EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ men's swimming team opened its 2021-22 season with a strong showing in a 168-99 victory over NJAC rival Montclair State at the TCNJ Aquatic Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
James McChesney and Andrew Thompson each won three individual races and a relay to pace the Lions. McChesney came in first in the 1000 free (9:55.84), 100 free (47.37) and the 100 fly (52.46). He joined Lukas Blach, Matt Watts and Thomas Zdroik with a victory in the 400 free relay.  
 
Thompson won the 200 free (1:44.79), the 200 back (1:57.61) and the 200 IM (1:57.73). He joined Zdroik, Jonah Herring and Alexander Johnson with a victory in the 200 medley relay.
 
Watts, Shawn Kushner, Brett Clauhs and Jack Marble came in third in that race for TCNJ.
 
Watts picked up a solo victory in the 50 free, winning in 22.09. Kai Zola followed him in third place in 22.21.
 
Herring (1:59.49) and Bryan Tran (1:59.68) finished one-two in the 200 fly.
 
Blach finished first in the 500 free in 4:54.11 while also finishing second behind McChesney in the 1000 free.
 
Andrew Walter won the 100 back in 54.90, and Ryan Heerema (55.82) and Ethan Dong (57.10) helped the Lions sweep the top-three in the event.
 
Ethan Weiss won the 1-meter diving with a score of 256.80.
 
Ryan VanDeVeen picked up two second place finishes in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 breaststroke.
 
The Lions return to action with another home meet against Stevens next Saturday at 2 p.m.