CANTON, N.Y. – The Union College men's swimming & diving team split its season-opening dual meet on Saturday afternoon at Augsbury Natatorium, defeating the host school St. Lawrence University 210-60 and falling to Clarkson University 165-128.

Following up his impressive rookie campaign, sophomore Troy Luley shined in the meet with wins in the 50 breaststroke (27.98) and 100 breaststroke (1:01.29). He was also on the second-place 200-medley relay for Union, swimming the breaststroke leg, and was on the third-place 400-freestyle relay. 

First-year Samuel Staudinger made a strong first impression in his collegiate debut, winning two individual events and anchoring the first-place 400-freestyle relay along with sophomore Tripp Kennedy, junior Nick Megas, and sophomore Lucas Miller.
 
Including Staudinger's win in the 100 freestyle (49.53) and 200 freestyle (1:50.41), Union won six events on the day. Kennedy joined Luley and Staudinger with individual-event wins by blowing past the field with a 10-second victory in the 500 freestyle (5:02.64). 

Sophomore Emlen Lease clocked Union's only lifetime-best in the season-opening dual-meet. After registering a 27.24 split in the 50 backstroke to lead off the 200 medley, he then shaved .14 seconds off in the 50 back three events later, placing second. 

First-years Oliver Gooch, Jacob Rozen, Mathys Chevrier, Cole Scafidi, Joe Pociask, Sage Starks and Staudinger made their collegiate debuts during Union's 1-1 day. Gooch placed fourth in the 50 breast, Scafidi earned a third-place spot in the 100 butterfly, and Chevrier went 27.43 during a third-place performance in the 50 back. 

Megas returned to action for the first time since Union's midseason meet last year and got back on top of the podium as a part of the 400 free relay. He also placed second in the 50 freestyle and 50 butterfly. 

Union will host Roberts Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. for its next meet.