From NYU Athletics
On Friday, the New York University tenth-ranked men's swimming team added one First Team and one Second Team All-American race to their NCAA National Championships performance in Greensboro, NC, to move up to 12th place overall from 14th on Thursday night.
Second-ranked Emory University is in first while first-ranked Kenyon University is five points behind in second.
Leo Han was the lone individual finalist for the Violets. Taking down the consolation final to win the heat and place ninth overall, Han came within two-tenths of his personal best. He clocked 1:46.53 to drop nearly two seconds from his prelims swim on Friday morning.
In the 800 freestyle relay, Connor Vincent led off, followed by Thomas Pritchard, Tyler Walters, and Nathaniel Yeoh. They finished eighth in 6:38.39.
Before the finals session began, graduating team members Pritchard, David Basin and James Yan were honored in a meet-wide senior ceremony.
"I've always looked up to Thomas for being a great leader as well as a fantastic swimmer," sophomore Yeoh said. "As silly as he can be sometimes, he steps up to lead the team and always brings a positive energy to the table. I'm sure I speak for the whole team when I say Thomas' presence will be sorely missed in the coming years."
Underclassmen Matthew Chang and Ajay Watanakun will also miss Basin's presence as a leader on the team.
"Ever since I came on the team as a freshman this year, David has been very good at getting me involved with group activities and acclimating me with the team," Chang said. "He's so kind in and out of the water, and even though we're in different practice groups, he's made sure the team never feels separated. He's always around and there for me."
"David is like an assistant coach," Watanakun added. "He always makes sure you're doing the right thing, that you're right on with everything and not slacking off. He's a really good mentor for me and I look up to him."
Junior Yan will also graduate this spring, completing his undergraduate career at NYU in three years.
"He's one of the funniest guys on the team and super smart," Han said. "I was really happy for him to swim on the 200 medley relay at Nationals. He's always made sure everyone has fun."