GENEVA, Ohio (February 23, 2025) - Howard University men's swimming and diving held on to be crowned the 2025 Northeast Conference (NEC) Champions for the second time in three years.
 
The Bison held first place throughout the four-day event, securing the win with the final event of the day - the 400 Free Relay.
 
Senior Tristan Stevens (Baltimore) started the final day with a personal best of 1:47.19 in the 200 Back final to take home the first gold of the evening.
 
Fellow classmate Erald Thompson III (Nassau, Bahamas) earned 16 points for the Bison with his bronze finish in the 200 Breast, swimming a program record 1:59.02.
 
The 200 Fly saw a program record of 1:49.19 from sophomore Mason Green (Fort Lauderdale, Fla), earning his second individual medal of the week.
 
After a close 200 Fly, the Bison dropped to second place, falling just one point behind Wagner College.
 
Emotions ran high as Howard's A relay team consisting of Steven, Green, senior Tai Afrik (Holland, Mich.) and junior Taj Benton (Baltimore) won gold in the 400 Relay by 0.18 seconds.
 
After winning the 1-meter and 3-meter dives, senior Zay Swilley (Bradley, Ill.) was named NEC Most Outstanding Diver.
 
After coaching them to their second program title, coaches Nicholas Askew, Salim King, Miriam Lynch, Ph.D, Courtenay Miller and Jasmine Payne were named NEC Coaching Staff of the Year. Miller also earned the distinction of Diving Coach of the Year.
 

Men - Team Rankings - Through Event 40                      
 
  1. Howard University                 883   2. Wagner College                    876
  3. Long Island University            566   4. Le Moyne College                  552

On March 13-15, several Bison will travel to Ocala, Fla., for the CSCAA National Invitational Championships.

For more information visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.