GENEVA, Ohio (February 23, 2023) – Howard University men's swimming & diving team remains atop of the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship standings for the third consecutive day while extending its lead from seven to 71 points.
 
HU has accumulated 451 points with two days remaining while the LIU Sharks are trailing with 380 points.
 
Seniors Mark-Anthony Beckles (Chaguanas, Trinidad & Tobago), Miles Simon (Atlanta) and Arion Solomon (Fairburn, Ga.) and junior Spencer Miles (Lynchburg, Va.) capped off the night, winning the 200 Free Relay with a new facility record (1:20.14).
 
Individually, Beckles led the way with a victory in the 100 Fly, clocking in at 48.33 (meet record). Solomon, senior Kevin Claiborne (Queens, N.Y.) and freshman Taj Benton (Baltimore) also took part in the event, finishing third (48.94), fourth (49.53) and sixth (49.75), respectively.
 
Senior Luke-Kennedy Thompson (Nassau, Bahamas) took silver in the 400 IM, recording a 3:57.43 time. Second-year Bison Erald Thompson III (Nassau, Bahamas) also competed and earned seventh in the event (4:10.50).
 
Other notable performances included sophomores Tai Afrik (Holland, Mich.) and Tristan Stevens (Chicago) grabbing seventh (1:41.43) and eighth (1:42.98), respectively, in the 200 Free.
 
On the board, sophomore Jordan Walker (San Antonio) won gold in the 1-meter dive after scoring 236.25 points. Fellow classmate Cyrus Gibson (Ocala, Fla.) and senior Joel Wilkinson (Kingston, Jamaica) placed sixth (143.95) and seventh (142.15), respectively, in the same event.
 
The action continues Friday (Feb. 24), beginning with the prelims at 10 a.m., followed by the final round at 6 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.