KINGSTON, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Swimming & Diving team took home the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving (NEISDA) championship crown on Sunday, defeating 11 other teams in a four-day tournament hosted by the University of Rhode Island.

The four-day tourney at URI began late morning on Thurs., Feb. 16 and concluded Sun., Feb. 19. Roger Williams recorded a first-place score of 823 with a performance score of 609.

What started as a 20-person recruiting class (12 men, eight women) for RWU last July turned into a title-winning team for the swimming and diving program. Swimming and diving Head Coach Matt Emmert called this class last July one of the "most talented classes" they have ever recruited.

"This is the deepest and arguably one of the most talented classes we've brought to Roger Williams University," said Head Coach Matt Emmert last summer. "During the recruiting process, each of these athletes made a profound impression on our team and myself, with their ability to successfully balance academics and athletics.

"They're excited to make their mark on the future of RWU Swimming & Diving, while building upon the legacy established by previous classes before them. I cannot wait to get them in the mix with our returning team members and start training. Less than 60 days until our first official practice, but who's counting! It's a great day to be a Hawk!"

It could be said this was a great year to be a Hawk, rather than a single day.

A number of Hawks from that freshmen class as well as from the team overall made significant contributions to the team's title win on Sunday.

Freshman John Babuka (Richmond, Ky.), sophomore Hunter Olson (Framingham, Mass.), freshman Michael Sannicandro (Acton, Mass.), junior Paul Marchese (Monroe, Conn.), senior David Kitchen, junior Andrew Gillie (Danvers, Mass.), freshman Jeremy Penny (Bayville, N.Y.), freshman Joe Frey (Pittsburg, Pa.), freshman Conor Quinn (Milford, Conn.), sophomore Matthew McKenzie (Centreville, Va.) and junior Jonathan Chow (Wellesley, Mass.) were a few of the Hawks among multiple others who finished with personal bests in various events over the tournament's four days.  

Along with Kitchen, seniors Alex Campbell (Winsted, Conn.) and Brian Hann (Forestdale, Mass.) graduate this spring from the swimming and diving program with a NEISDA championship win under their belts.