Coming into Saturday's meet against the Jumbos, the MIT Engineers were undefeated and riding high after decisive wins the previous weekend over Springfield and Coast Guard.
Apparently, the Jumbos were not impressed.
Coming off a split with Williams and Wesleyan and a win over Div. I Boston College, Tufts continued to display the type of dominance that has characterized this season, as they handed the Engineers their first loss of the year in a close meet, 158-126.
"The guys swam well at all the meets this week," coach Adam Hoyt said. "The entire team stepped up at the meet versus MIT."
Senior co-captain Greg Bettencourt headed his squad, with first-place finishes in the 200-yard freestyle (1:43.28), 100-yard freestyle (47.90), and 100-yard butterfly (52.60). Following the senior leadership, freshman Patrick Kinsella added two first-place finishes of his own, taking the 1000-yard freestyle in 10:04.30 and the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:52.32.
"Numerous guys on the team swam their best times of the season, and a few guys swam lifetime best times," coach Adam Hoyt said. "The guys have been working so hard in practice, and this performance was very impressive."
The men began the meet by taking second and third in the 200-yard medley relay behind a strong MIT foursome. The Jumbos wasted no time taking the lead back, earning first and second place finishes in the next two events, the 1000-yard freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle.
MIT put up some excellent swims of their own, taking both the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay. Senior Craig Edwards won both the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke while sophomore Deke Hu took the 200-yard butterfly and the 400-yard individual medley for the Engineers.
Coming off a training trip over winter break, the Jumbos are looking to put up impressive times in the second half of the season going into the NESCAC Championships. The men will use the next few meets, along with the NESCAC meet to try to qualify for the NCAA meet in March.
"The work the guys all committed themselves to on the training trip is clearly paying off," Hoyt said. "This meet was an indicator of great things to come in our next big meets."
Also assisting in the Jumbo campaign, freshman diver Rob Matera finished first in the 1-meter and 3-meter diving. Diving has always been a strong point for the Jumbos, and Saturday was one of just a couple of times in which the divers have competed in the same pool as the swimmers.
In addition to the divers, senior leadership has played a large role in the success of the Jumbos as senior Mike Kinsella took the 50-yard freestyle and fellow classmate Justin Fanning finished second in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle.
The depth of the Jumbo squad has proven to be a strength this season, and Saturday was no different. MIT took first place in eight events, while the Jumbos put up only six first-place finishes. The ability of the Jumbos to finish second, third, and fourth in many events kept them on top of the point totals.
The Jumbos will now prepare for their last home meet of the season as they host Bates and Wheaton on Saturday, with sights set on the MIT Invitational the following weekend, and NESCAC in late February.
"Our final regular season meet will be next weekend," Hoyt said. "Then we have two big meets, which the guys' seasons are geared towards, the MIT Invitational and the NESCAC Championships. It should be very exciting, since there are a number of individuals stepping up and swimming well."
