WILLIAMSTOWN, MA (November 22, 2025) – Senior
Armaan Sikka won twice and the Jumbos received a strong debut performance from their freshman class as the Tufts University men's swimming & diving team started their schedule at a quad meet hosted by Williams College today.
Sikka, who enters 2025-26 as a 13-time All-American, was tops for Tufts in the 100 freestyle with a 46.30 mark and in the 100 butterfly where he touched in 50.05 seconds. He also anchored the 200 freestyle relay which won to close the meet.
A handful of newcomers also shone brightly for the Jumbos. After leading off for the 200 medley relay that was second,
Nico Ogawa won his first individual start in the 100 backstroke with a 51.21 time. He later tied for the victory in the 200 back with Williams College's Gabriel Lee as both swam 1:54.17.
Freshman
Isaac Shang anchored the 200 medley relay, swam the first leg for the 200 free relay foursome and was the second-place finisher in the 50 freestyle (21.47).
The Jumbos' winning 200 free relay lined up Shang, sophomore
Campbell McFall, freshman
Max Gerke and Sikka. They combined on a 1:23.71 time that edged Williams College (1:24.59). Tufts' 200 medley relay of Ogawa, junior
Jack Nussbaum, Gerke and Shang timed 1:34.29, close behind race winner Williams (1:33.38).
The meet was a good balance of youth and experience overall for Tufts. Senior
Connor Townson added a 2:09.80 victory in the 200 breaststroke. Classmate
Nate Pfeffer was Tufts' top performer in the 200 butterfly at 1:59.11 (third overall) and in the 500 freestyle with a 4:53.57 mark (fourth). Nussbaum tied for third in the 100 breaststroke (59.79). Junior
Dan Godino had Tufts' top finish in the 1000 freestyle with a 10:07.62 swim that was sixth.
In addition to his two relay performances, Gerke also raced third behind Sikka in the 100 fly with a 50.85 time. Freshman
Harry Belbot led Tufts and was third in the 200 freestyle with a 1:45.59 touch. Classmate
Aidan Cole was third behind Ogawa in the 200 backstroke (1:57.77), while freshman
Seth Graber led the Jumbos and was third overall in the 400 individual medley (4:17.41).
The diving events were held earlier in the week and junior
Elias Brandt was second off both boards for the Jumbos. He scored 265.85 in three-meter and then 254.20 in one-meter.
Tufts won two out of the three competitions in the team scoring today. The Jumbos defeated WPI 203-91 and Trinity College 225-59, but lost to Williams 174-114.
The Brown & Blue return to action tomorrow when they host Brandeis University at Hamilton Pool starting at 12 noon.
--JUMBOS--
