ERIE, Pa. – The season opened with a dramatic victory for the Gannon men's swimming and diving team, and it all came down to a record-setting relay.

The 400-yard relay team of Stephen McCallum (Cape Town, South Africa/Wynberg Boys'), Ben Williams (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay), Joey Decheck (Plum, Pa./Plum), and Justin Decheck (Plum, Pa./Plum) set a pool record of 3:07.45 in the final at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion Pool. That helped the Golden Knights pull out a 155-145 victory over their PSAC rivals on Friday night.

"I'm really proud of the teamwork that I saw," Gannon coach Jacqueline Michalski said afterward. "I think our newcomers did a great job stepping up in their first meet."

The relay win was one of three victories for McCallum, Gannon's senior standout. He also picked up individual wins in the 100 freestyle (46.40) and 200 freestyle (1:43.53) to lead the Golden Knights.

Junior Aidar Sataev (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan/Forest Hill) also had a successful first meet of the season for Gannon. He starred in his specialty, the breaststroke, winning the 100 breast (57.76) and 200 breast (2:08.02).

Gannon also received individual wins from junior Ryan Barclay (Knoxville, Tenn./Bearden) in the 1,000 freestyle (10:13.16) and from sophomore Malachi Boyle (Knoxville, Tenn./Home Life Academy) in the 500 free (4:49.56).

Gannon also had a series of second-place finishes, including three runner-up finishes by junior Hiyan Kubagawa (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and two by Brandon Hebert (Damascus, Md./Damascus).

The Golden Knights were able to overcome Clarion's strong performances in the 1-meter and 3-meter diving in which they swept the top three spots. They also were able to win despite Clarion's four wins from
David Bocci, who placed first in the 200 butterfly, 200 backstroke, and 200 IM, as well as the 200 medley relay. Connor Cary also had three first-place finishes for Clarion.

The stands at Carneval Athletic Pavilion Pool were loaded with parents and student-athletes.

"We're so grateful for the support we received from the parents and fans," said Michalski. She also sent a shoutout to the members of the men's soccer, cheer and dance, and women's water polo teams who were in attendance.
 
Men's results:
Team scores: Gannon 155, Clarion 145

• 200-yard medley relay: 1. Clarion 1:34.22 (Connor Cary, Gavin Guckavan, David Bocci, Henry Miller), 2. Gannon 1:34.33 (Justin Decheck (Plum, Pa./Plum), Aidar Sataev (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan/Forest Hill), Will Retsch (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton), Joey Decheck (Plum, Pa./Plum)).             
• 1,000 freestyle: 1. Ryan Barclay (Knoxville, Tenn./Bearden), Gannon 10:13.16, 2. Brandon Hebert (Damascus, Md./Damascus), Gannon 10:13.81.
• 200 freestyle: 1. Stephen McCallum (Cape Town, South Africa/Wynberg Boys'), Gannon 1:43.53, 2. Dom Cortopassi, Clarion 1:45.20.
• 100 backstroke: 1. Connor Cary, Clarion 51.53, 2. Justin Decheck (Plum, Pa./Plum), Gannon 52.56.
• 100 breaststroke: 1. Aidar Sataev (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan/Forest Hill), Gannon 57.76, 2. Gavin Guckavan, Clarion 58.61.
• 200 butterfly: 1. David Bocci, Clarion 1:52.28*, 2. Hiyan Kubagawa (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Gannon 1:55.11.
• 50 freestyle: 1. Henry Miller, Clarion 20.90, 2. Austin Prokopec, Clarion 21.27.
• 100 freestyle: 1. Stephen McCallum (Cape Town, South Africa/Wynberg Boys'), Gannon 46.40, 2. Henry Miller, Clarion 47.22.
• 200 backstroke: 1. David Bocci, Clarion 1:55.96, 2. Andrew Beyer (Warren, Pa./Warren Area), Gannon 1:58.01.
• 200 breaststroke: 1. Aidar Sataev (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan/Forest Hill), Gannon 2:08.02, 2. Hiyan Kubagawa (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 2:09.26.
• 500 freestyle: 1. Malachi Boyle (Knoxville, Tenn./Home Life Academy), Gannon 4:49.56, 2. Brandon Hebert (Damascus, Md./Damascus), Gannon 4:54.46.
• 100 butterfly: 1. Connor Cary, Clarion 50.44, 2. Mason Peck, Clarion 52.12.
• 200 IM: 1. David Bocci, Clarion 1:56.26, 2. Hiyan Kubagawa (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 1:56.80.
•  400 freestyle relay: 1. Gannon 3:07.45* (Stephen McCallum (Cape Town, South Africa/Wynberg Boys'), Ben Williams (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay), Joey Decheck (Plum, Pa./Plum), Justin Decheck (Plum, Pa./Plum)), 2. Clarion 3:07.92 (Connor Cary, Henry Miller, Dom Cortopassi, Austin Prokopec).
• 1-meter diving: 1. Zach Schering, Clarion 306.60, 2. Jack Beattie, Clarion 280.73.

3-meter diving: 1. Mike Flamm, Clarion 317.25, 2. Zach Schering, Clarion 294.38.
*Pool record