March 26, 2002
Edison, NJ---The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) office named 25 athletes to the 2002 MAAC Men's Swimming and Diving All-Academic Team, it was announced on February 21st, 2002. To receive accolades, honorees must complete two semesters at their institution, and hold a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.200.
Seven Red Foxes were members of this year's team, including Justin Burkhardt (Milford, NH), Trevor Charles (Middletown, Conn.), Ben Lakin (Fairport, NY), Nick Lakin (Fairport, NY), Anthony Manza (Brooklyn, NY), Will Reagan (Waterbury, Conn.), and Jeremy Virgil (Hamden, Conn.).
At this season's MAAC Championships Burkhardt placed fifth in the 500, third in the 1,000 and second in the 1,650-yard freestyles. At his fourth ECAC Championship appearance, he placed sixth in the 1,650. Charles captured the MAAC title in the 100-yard backstroke, and also was a member of the 200 and 400-yard medley, as well as the 400 and 800-yard freestyle relays that set new school records at MAAC's and ECAC's. Ben Lakin placed 11th in the 100-yard butterfly, eighth in the 100-yard backstroke, and sixth in the 200-yard backstroke at MAAC's. He also qualified for the ECAC Championship. Nick Lakin placed second in both the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly at the MAAC Championships. He was also a member of the school record setting 200 and 400-yard freestyle relays, and the 200 and 400-yard medley relays swam at the MAAC's and ECAC's. On the boards, Manza was one of the top competitors for the Red Foxes on the 1 and 3-meter dives throughout the season. Reagan was fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke and third in the 200-yard breaststroke at MAAC's, and also qualified for his second ECAC Championship. Virgil placed second in the 1,000 and third in the 1,650-yard freestyles, and was fourth in the 200-yard butterfly at MAAC's, and also finished seventh in the 1,650 free at the ECAC Championship.
On the year, the Red Foxes captured their seventh consecutive MAAC Championship title since joining the conference in the fall of 1995. In addition, they had their best finish, second place overall, at the ECAC Championships held at the University of Pittsburgh. The men's team sent 17 athletes to compete in the event, the most ever in the history of the program. In dual meets for the season, the Red Foxes were 10-1, and improved to a 39-0 all time record against MAAC opponents.
