GRANVILLE, Ohio (Dec. 5) – The Denison University men's swimming team used a strong all-around effort on day one of the Denison University Invitational to hold first place after compiling 626 points. The Big Red posted 17 NCAA "B" cut times during an impressive overall showing Thursday.
 
The 2024 Denison Invitational features a loaded field including Emory University (#1 – Division III), Denison University (#3 – Division III), Wash U of St. Louis (#6 – Division III) and University of Indianapolis (#4 – Division II) in the most recent CSCAA polls. 
 
Under the watchful eye of a lively crowd, Denison opened the evening session with a victory in the 200 Free Relay. The group of Nick Hensel, Jack Hill, Harry Parsons and Patrick Daly raced to a first-place finish with an NCAA "B" cut time of 1:19.40. 
 
The Big Red took four of the top five spots in the 500 Free. Lucas Conrads led the way with a second-place finish, as he registered an NCAA "B" cut time of 4:26.18. Christian McIntire and Tyler Distenfeld also recorded NCAA "B" cut standards with respective times of4:27.02 and 4:28.02 to place third and fourth overall. George Goins finished in third place with a time of 4:32.02.
 
Denison continued its strong efforts in the 200 IM. The Big Red racked up four more "B" cut standards in the finals. Daly finished in third place at 1:46.56 while Devin Testin was fourth with a time of 1:48.72. Luke Swiggett placed fifth by logging a time of 1:49.42. Gavin Jones put together a time of 1:49.98 to work his way into seventh place. Christian Narcelles finished ninth in the finals. However, Narcelles posted a "B" cut standard in the prelims with a time of 1:49.92. 
 
Hensel continued his impressive first year by racing to a top time of 19.99 in the 50 Free. His NCAA "B" cut standard was part of three Big Red members in the top nine. Hill finished sixth (20.42) while Parsons was ninth (20.64). 
 
Denison concluded Thursday's night session with a third-place effort in the 400 Medley Relay. The grouping of Hill, Daly, Narcelles and Hensel logged a "B" cut time of 3:14.96. 
 
Up Next: Competition continues Friday with day two of the invitational. Friday's events include the 400 IM, the 100 Fly, the 200 Free, the 100 Breast, the 100 Back, the 200 Medley Relay and the 800 Free Relay. 
 
NCAA Division III National "B" Cuts
200 Free Relay – Hensel, Hill, Parsons, Daly – 1:19.40
Lucas Conrads – 500 Free Prelims – 4:27.69 
Lucas Conrads – 500 Free Finals – 4:26.18
Tyler Distenfeld – 500 Free Prelims – 4:30.12 
Tyler Distenfeld – 500 Free Finals – 4:28.02
Christian McIntire – 500 Free Finals – 4:27.02
Patrick Daly – 200 IM Prelims – 1:46.94
Patrick Daly – 200 IM Finals – 1:46.56
Devin Testin – 200 IM Prelims – 1:49.06 
Devin Testin – 200 IM Finals – 1:48.72 
Christian Narcelles – 200 IM Prelims – 1:49.92
Luke Swiggett – 200 IM Prelims – 1:49.95
Luke Swiggett – 200 IM Finals – 1:49.42
Gavin Jones – 200 IM Finals – 1:49.98
Nick Hensel – 50 Free Prelims – 20.14
Nick Hensel – 50 Free Finals – 19.99
400 Medley Relay – Hill, Daly, Narcelles, Hensel – 3:14.96