2022 Men's Swimming Year-In-Review

Photo by: Jon Fleming/CAA

4/20/2022 2:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving

NEWARK, Del. - The 2021-22 men's swimming and diving season came to a close on March 12, but there were many moments along the way to look back on including the program finishing as CAA Championship runner-up, the best finish in program history.

Immediate Impact

Eight freshmen and a transfer. Newcomers Gavin Currie, Toni Sabev, Philip Townsend, DJ Fechtman, Luke Rautzhan and Miguel Vasquez made a splash in their first season with the Blue Hens. Together the newcomers accounted for nine of the men's 12 medals at the CAA Championships.

Toni Sabev earned five medals himself, earning silver in the 100 Breast, bronze in the 200 Breast and was a member of the 200 Medley, 400 Medley and 400 Free Relay teams that earned bronze medals. He also set school records in the 100 Breast (52.39), 200 Breast (1:58.34) and 200 IM (1:48.35).

Philip Townsend earned a silver on the 3-meter board in the finals of the CAA Championship with a score of 274.05. He was the only other Blue Hen besides Sabev to earn a silver medal.

Gavin Currie was the men's lone champion, winning gold in the 200 Back with a time of 1:45.38. He posted the program's second-fastest time in the 100 Back (48.52) and the third-fastest time in the 200 Back (1:45.38). He also earned bronze medals in the 200 Medley, 400 Medley and 800 Free Relays.

DJ Fechtman earned bronze in the 100 Back, the first medal of his career, with a time of 48.80, the fifth-fastest time in school history. Luke Rautzhan earned bronze medals in the 400 Medley and 400 Free Relays while Vasquez earned bronze medals as a member of the 200 Medley and 400 Free relay teams.

🥇200 BACK CHAMPION🥇

Gavin Currie wins his first gold medal!!#WeFight pic.twitter.com/yjuglc3Ziz
— Delaware Swimming & Diving (@Delaware_Swim) February 20, 2022

Going Down in History

The Delaware men's swimming and diving team saw its best program finish in the CAA Swimming and Diving Championships finishing second of five teams with a score of 643. The Blue Hens earned a total of 12 medals throughout the week of the championship, five of which were earned on the final day.

Simeon Sabev joined his brother Toni in making a huge impact during the CAA Championship, earning four bronze medals. He earned an individual medal in the 200 Fly and was a member of the 200 Medley, 400 Medley and 800 Free Relay teams that earned bronze medals. Simeon also set the school record in the 200 Fly with a time of 1:46.40.

The Delaware men's swimming program finished 10th of 30 teams at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship, earning 251 points and two top-three finishes during the three-day meet. Toni Sabev earned a spot in the 50 Breast finals, where he was crowned champion with a time of 24.25. The 200 Medley Relay team of Gavin Currie, Toni Sabev, Simeon Sabev and Luke Rautzhan earned a bronze medal with a time of 1:27.81 on the second day of the meet.

TONI SABEV IS THE NIC 50 BREAST CHAMPION!!

🥇24.25🥇#WeFight x #BlueHens pic.twitter.com/xo2RX3D4rD
— Delaware Swimming & Diving (@Delaware_Swim) March 11, 2022

Men's and Women's Season Stats
By the Numbers

School Records Broken - 10
Freshmen Records Broken - 10
New Top-10 Times Achieved - 51
Diving Zone Qualifiers - 2
NCAA B cuts - 5
CAA Podium Finishes - 19
CAA Most Outstanding Swimmer - 1
Diving Personal or Season Bests - 13
CAA Weekly Swimming/Diving Honors - 11

The Conclusion

Delaware concluded the 2021-22 season going undefeated, 4-0, at home while posting a 6-1 record in dual and tri-meets. The Blue Hens finished second with a score of 643 in the CAA Championship and placed 10th of 30 teams in the CSCAA National Invitational Championship.

Men's Swimming & Diving finishes as the runner-up!!#WeFight x #CAAChamps pic.twitter.com/kDZLh1d88i
— Delaware Swimming & Diving (@Delaware_Swim) February 20, 2022

Thank You Seniors

The Blue Hens would like to thank their senior class for everything they have given to the program. Bryce Ciecko, Evan Custance, Jeb Darhower, Sam Grossi, Ethan Holcroft, Justin Sabo and Eric Veit – thank you for giving our University so many outstanding memories!

Men's and women's teams pull off wins against West Chester to remain undefeated at home this season! FANTASTIC send-off for our seniors!!

Women's Recap ➡️ https://t.co/70XD08pfK4
Men's Recap ➡️ https://t.co/pL0GREfjSx #BlueHens x #WeFight pic.twitter.com/0lO1Z1lWDx
— Delaware Swimming & Diving (@Delaware_Swim) January 22, 2022

For the latest on the Delaware swimming and diving programs, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_Swim and Instagram @Delaware_Swim and @DelawareDiving.