BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- For the second straight week and third time this season, Bridgewater State University senior Richard Smith has been selected as the New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Association (NEISDA) Men's Swimmer of the Week by CollegeSwimming.com.
A native of Milford, Massachusetts, Smith set the school record in the 100 backstroke as the BSU men's swimming & diving team swept a tri-meet against Regis College and Husson University this past weekend. Smith recorded a time of 52.99 seconds in the event as he eclipsed the previous standard of 53.12 seconds set by teammate Jameson Rose (Somerset, Mass.) in 2016.
Smith, who now holds five individual school records as well as three relay marks, also had the top performance at the tri-meet in the 100 individual medley (56.83) and teamed with sophomore Dylon Willis (Attleboro, Mass.), freshman Quinn McAlear (Norton, Mass.) and sophomore Giulian Santos (Framingham, Mass.) to win in the 200 medley relay (1:38.49). The foursome of Smith, Santos, McAlear and Rose posted the top time of 1:30.04 in the 200 freestyle relay to close out the meet.
Earlier in the week, Smith captured top honors in both the 200 breaststroke (2:15.10) and the 100 individual medley (55.92) in a 176-120 setback to Division II Bentley University. Smith also swam a leg on the Bears' winning 200 medley relay squad along with sophomore Dylon Willis (Attleboro, Mass.), freshman Quinn McAlear (Norton, Mass.) and senior Max Medina (Marion, Mass.). The quartet posted a time of 1:39.34.
In upcoming action, the BSU swimming & diving teams host Babson College and Husson University on Saturday afternoon at one.