AKRON, Ohio (October 16, 2021) – The Denison University men's swimming team closed out its 2021-22 season opener at the Akron Zips Classic with a total of 1,245 points to claim the team title. Youngstown State University was second with 982 points while Xavier University was third with 805 points.

Session 2 - Saturday, Oct. 16 - 10 a.m.

In the morning session, Denison started with a third-place finish in the 200 free relay as senior Nicholas Czepukaitis, senior Noah Houskeeper, freshman Gavin Jones and senior Richie Kurlich combined for a time of 1:25.70.

In the 400 IM, freshman Max Soja finished third with a time of 4:05.17, and then in the 100 butterfly, Kurlich finished second with a time of 49.46 seconds.

In the 200 freestyle, Denison took each of the second through fifth place spots as senior Kyle Verstandig (1:41.25) was second, sophomore Sam Myaard (1:42.12) was third, freshman Christian McIntire (1:44.10) was fourth and sophomore Ryan Foreback (1:44.31) was fifth.

Denison's first first-place finish of the day came in the 100 breaststroke as Kurlich (56.09 seconds) and Houskeeper (57.49 seconds) went one and two, respectively.

In the final swimming event of the morning session, the 100 backstroke, freshman Chris Luus (50.27 seconds) and senior Liam Picozzi (50.30 seconds) finished second and third, respectively.

After the morning session, Denison was still in first place with 754 points, ahead of Youngstown in second place with 582 points.

Session 3 - Saturday, Oct. 16 - 5 p.m.

In the evening session, Denison started off with its first NCAA Division III National "B" cut of the season by taking first place in the 200 medley relay. The group of Luus, Houskeeper, Kurlich and Trey Ike finished with a time of 1:30.59 to win it and make the cut time. Right behind them in second place was Picozzi, freshman Patrick Daly, senior Ethan Bevill and Verstandig with a time of 1:31.54.

In the 1650 freestyle, Denison earned four National "B" cut times as Myaard (15:56.08) took second place, freshman Tyler Distenfeld (16:06.95) took third, Foreback (16:09.62) was fifth, and freshman Lucas Conrads (16:14.80) was seventh.

In the 200 backstroke, Picozzi and Luus took third and fourth place with times of 1:51.51 and 1:53.18, respectively.

Verstandig won the 100 freestyle with a time of 45.84 seconds while Ike was second at 46.14 seconds.

Kurlich achieved a National "B" cut of his own with a first-place time of 2:00.86 in the 200 breaststroke.

In the final individual race of the meet, the 200 butterfly, Houskeeper finished second with a time of 1:52.09 and Soja was third at 1:52.23.

Last but not least, in the final relay of the meet, the 400 freestyle relay, Denison's veteran group of Kurlich, Verstandig, Ike and Picozzi won it with a time of 3:01.67 to earn the Big Red's seventh National "B" cut of the session.

In all, Denison won first place in 10 total events during its season-opening meet against NCAA Division I competition.

Denison returns to action in two weeks when they host their first meet of the 2021-22 season against Xavier University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, inside the Trumbull Aquatics Center.

NCAA Division III National "B" cuts:
Chris Luus, Noah Houskeeper, Richie Kurlich and Trey Ike – 200 medley relay – 1:30.59
Sam Myaard – 1650 freestyle – 15:56.08
Tyler Distenfeld  – 1650 freestyle – 16:06.95
Ryan Foreback – 1650 freestyle – 16:09.62
Lucas Conrads – 1650 freestyle – 16:14.80
Richie Kurlich – 200 breaststroke – 2:00.86
Richie Kurlich, Kyle Verstandig, Trey Ike and Liam Picozzi – 400 freestyle relay – 3:01.67

Akron Zips Classic Results