EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ men's swimming and diving team got off to a hot start on the first day of the 2022 TCNJ Invitational, leading all teams with 398 points as Friday evening concluded.

The Lions won four of the five events competed in the finals, highlighted by two event sweeps and three Division III 'B-Cut' qualifying times on the day.

Coming off a stellar individual performance of 20.32 in the 50 free prelims, James McChesney set the tone in the Finals session of the day with a 20.12 leadoff split in the 200 Free Relay. Followed by seniors Dixon Kahler and Matt Watts before being anchored by freshman Richard Park, the Lions A relay hit the Division III 'B-Cut' with a season-best time of 1:21.86.

McChesney's 50 free prelims time also marked a Division III 'B-Cut' time.

The Lions swept the top-three in the 500 free, with freshman Gavin Formon taking first with a time of 4:33.97. Sophomore Lukas Blach took second after clocking a 4:37.32, and rounding out the trio was freshman Brian Bull who finished third. The freshman swam a prelims-best time of 4:37.90.   

The 200 IM finals marked a consecutive sweep, led by a trio of sophomores. Ryan Higgins outpaced the field with a time of 1:51.52, followed by Andrew Walter's 1:53.08 and Shawn Kushner's 1:54.85.

Dixon Kahler led the way for TCNJ in the 50 Free finals, placing second with a time of 21.23.

Closing out the first day, the Lions' 400 Medley Relay also hit the Division III 'B-Cut' after running away from the field with a time of 3:18.68. The relay team consisted of freshman Andrew Kidchob, sophomore Ryan Vandeveen, McChesney and was anchored by Matt Watts.

After Day One of competition, the standings are:
1. TCNJ - 398 points
2. USMMA - 235 points
3. Stevens - 204 points
4. SUNY New Paltz - 100 points

The Lions resume competition tomorrow morning at 11 am for the second prelims session of the weekend. Diving begins competition at 2 pm, before the finals session begins at 6 pm.