The College of New Jersey men’s swimming and diving team received significant recognition on Apr. 1, as M.J. Hoban was named New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year, and the team’s coaches were awarded Coaching Staff of the Year.
These honors follow a strong showing at the NJAC Championships, where TCNJ athletes won 16 out of a possible 20 events. Hoban, a sophomore, secured two individual victories and contributed to four relay wins during the meet. Over his two years with TCNJ, he has collected ten conference gold medals and seven All-American citations.
The coaching staff—Dave Dow, Eric Blevins, Webster Bozzo, Steven Paterno, and Ryan Higgins—earned their third Coaching Staff of the Year award in four years after leading the Lions to their fifth consecutive conference title. At this year’s national championships, TCNJ improved six places from last year by finishing eleventh overall.
Several team members were also recognized with All-NJAC honors for their performances throughout the season. Hoban earned first-team honors in six events including both freestyle sprints and multiple relays. Joe McChesney matched that achievement with first-team selections in butterfly events and relays as well. Other honorees included Andrew Kidchob (four first-team nods), Tyler McGeehan (three first-team selections), Steven Bendoraitis (three first-team picks), Gabe Beverini (three first-team awards), Gavin Formon (two first-team recognitions), Kyle Brushaber (one first- and one second-team honor), Bradley Frank (one first team selection), Matt Liotti (one first team selection), and Mason Bushay who received an honorable mention.
As the season concludes with these distinctions, TCNJ’s program continues to build on its recent successes at both conference and national levels.
