NEWARK, N.J. (October 12, 2024) – Howard University men's swimming & diving grabbed second place at the NJIT Invitational, hosted by the Highlanders, in Newark, N.J.
 
Overall, the Bison earned 11 first place finishes while scoring 1,103.5 points.
 
HU dominated the relay events, winning four races.
 
Graduate Tristan Stevens (Chicago), senior Darin Johnson (Atascocita, Texas), junior Taj Benton (Baltimore) and sophomore Kristopher Lawson (Gaithersburg, Md.) represented HU in the 200 Medley Relay, placing first with a 1:31.25 mark.
 
All four Bison also took part in the 400 Medley Relay, winning with a 3:22.87 time.
 
Benton, Lawson, Stevens and second-year Bison Mason Green (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) capped off the weekend with a victory in the 400 Free Relay, clocking in at 3:07.47.
 
Benton, Lawson, senior Tai Afrik (Holland, Mich.) and junior Daren Rodgers (Chicago) competed in the 200 Free Relay, earning a first-place finish at 1:23.03.
 
Individually, senior Erald Thompson III (Nassau, Bahamas) claimed first in the 200 IM (1:54.58) while sophomore Seth Green (Houston) won the 100 Breast (56.84).
 
Other notable victories included: Afrik (100 Free; 46.10); Benton (100 Fly; 50.14); Johnson (200 Breast; 2:07.58); Lawson (50 Free; 20.98) and Stevens (200 Back; 1:50.91).
 
NJIT won the event, edging out the Bison by 73 points (1,176.5 points).
 
Friday (Nov. 1), the Bison travel crosstown to meet American in a dual meet. First race is slated for 6 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.