NEWARK, Del.—The freshman duo of Richard Nolan (Wilton, Conn.) and Nolan Danus (Morris Plains, N.J.) tallied victories in the 200 yard breaststroke and the 200 yard backstroke, respectively, as Villanova (0-1) opened the 2021 season with a dual meet against Delaware (1-0) at Rawstrom Natatorium on Saturday afternoon. The host Blue Hens won the meet by a final score of 169-87.
 
Nolan touched the wall in the 200 breast in 2:08.65 and had a strong collegiate debut which also included runner-up finishes in both the 1000 yard freestyle and the 200 yard individual medley. He posted a time of 9:55.49 in the 1000 free and recorded a mark of 1:56.80 in the 200 IM. In addition to winning the 200 back in 1:56.92, Danus finished third in both the 200 yard butterfly (1:56.26) and the 200 IM (1:57.17). He also swam the leadoff leg of the 200 yard medley relay to kick off the meet and posted a split of 26.39 over 50 yards in the backstroke.
 
The meet began with the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events on Friday afternoon. Junior Michael Ackert (Rye, N.Y.) and freshman Noah Clipman (Mohnton, Pa.) were the lone men's competitors in those events, with Ackert finishing first in each and the pair combining for 26 team points towards the Wildcats final score.
 
Saturday was also a busy day for sophomore Kevin Geist (Hilton Head Island, S.C.) who finished second in the 100 yard butterfly (51.88) and third in the 200 yard freestyle (1:45.32) in addition to swimming legs of both the 200 medley relay and the 400 yard freestyle relay. He anchored the 400 free squad to a second place finish with a time of 3:16.75, including a split of 47.80 on the anchor leg.
 
Junior Jesse Marsh (Kingston, Jamaica) led off the 400 free relay and was followed by senior Francis Prikasky (Pass Christian, Miss.), senior JJ Strain (Greenwood Village, Colo.) and Geist. The 200 medley relay squad of Danus, Prikasky, Geist and senior Jordan Fetterman (Berkeley, Calif.) came in second in 1:47.48.