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Salisbury Sweeps NJAC Swimmer & Rookie Honors, USMMA Diver Recognized
PITMAN, NJ – salisbury University dominated the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) weekly awards for men’s swimming & diving, announced November 23, claiming Swimmer, Rookie, and contributing to a total team victory at the Yellow Jacket Invitational. The United States merchant Marine Academy also earned recognition with the Diver of the Week award. These accolades highlight the rising talent within the NJAC as athletes strive to qualify for NCAA competition.
Sophomore Mason Potts of Salisbury earned his third NJAC Swimmer of the Week honor after a stellar performance at the Yellow Jacket Invitational, where he secured seven medals and propelled the Sea Gulls to their second consecutive title. Freshman Owen Mahoney was named NJAC Rookie of the Week, contributing considerably to Salisbury’s team score with three medals at the same invitational. Carter Kov of the USMMA received Diver of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, achieving NCAA qualifying marks in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives.
Potts captured gold in the 50 free (20.17),100 fly (48.50), 200 medley relay (leadoff, 1:28.62), 400 medley relay (leadoff, 3:16.35), and 400 free relay (second leg, 3:00.84). He added a silver medal in the 800 free relay (leadoff, 6:49.81) and a bronze in the 100 free (45.67). His times in the 50 free, 100 fly, and 100 backstroke split of the 400 medley relay met NCAA ‘B’ cut standards, as did both medley relays. Currently, Potts ranks seventh in NCAA Division III in the 50 free, sixth in the 100 backstroke, and ninth in the 100 fly. his 50 backstroke split in the 200 medley relay is the fastest in the NJAC and tied for fourth nationally, while the 400 and 800 free relays are both top-12 nationally.
Kov won the 1-meter dive with a score of 512.00 and placed second in the 3-meter dive with 499.40 at the TCNJ Invitational. Both scores are currently the highest in the NJAC, with his 1-meter score ranking third and his 3-meter score ranking fifth in Division III.
Mahoney earned gold in the 500 free (4:32.96) and 1,650 free (15:58.96) at the yellow Jacket Invitational, and a bronze in the 200 free (1:41.00), totaling 62 points for the Sea Gulls. His 500 free time leads the NJAC and ranks 17th in Division III, while his 1,650 free time is second in the conference and 15th nationally.
