BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University Men's Swimming team opened Day One of the Menck Invitational with several strong individual and relay performances on Friday as they hosted the Engineers of WPI at the Aquatics Center.
Prior to the meet RWU celebrated three members of the squad who are completing their degrees this year. Luke Austin (Essex Junction, Vt.), Will Bonvissuto (Garden City, N.Y.), and Daryl Kyabayinze (Kampala, UG).
Roger Williams opened the meet in the 400-yard freestyle relay, where the Hawks' top squad of James Guilmette (Johnston, R.I.), Connor Poetsch (Randolph, N.J.), Dylan Gourlay (Mount Kisco, N.Y.), and James Augustin (Massapequa, N.Y.) captured first place with a time of 3:11.23.
In the 100-yard breaststroke, Cam Hogg (Bridgewater, Mass.) led all RWU swimmers with a winning time of 59.16, finishing first overall.
Evan Wysor (North Kingstown, R.I.) paced the Hawks in the 100-yard freestyle, placing first with a time of 49.19.
Thomas Brown (Katonah, N.Y.) turned in a standout swim in the 100-yard backstroke, claiming the top spot overall with a time of 52.72 to lead the Hawks.
In the distance events, Ryan Iannone (Prospect, Conn.) recorded RWU's top finish in the 500-yard freestyle, placing second overall with a time of 5:01.02.
Drew Hebert (Melrose, Mass.) claimed the top spot in the 100-yard butterfly, finishing with a time of 52.49.
Guilmette and Olle Lundgren (Boston, Mass.) led the Hawks in the 50-yard freestyle, claiming second (22.17) and third (22.33) respectively.
In the 100-yard individual medley, Augustin was back in the pool and posted a winning time of 53.74.
Thomas Brown followed that effort with another strong showing in the 200-yard freestyle, placing first overall in 1:46.55 to lead all Hawks.
The day concluded with the 400-yard medley relay, where RWU's top quartet of Carter Brown (Lake Ridge, Va.), Hogg, Hebert, and Poetsch placed second overall with a time of 3:36.40.
Roger Williams returns to action tomorrow Saturday, Jan. 24 at WPI for the second and final day of the Menck Invitational.
