The College of Staten Island men’s & women’s swimming & diving teams are getting set for their most important weekend of the season, as they will spend the better part of the next three days at the CUNYAC Championship Meet at Lehman College.  The meet begins today at 4:30pm, and will extend into Saturday and then Sunday where championship teams will be crowned

CSI @ CUNYAC CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
Matchup: CSIM (6-2, 3-1 CUNY), CSIW (5-6, 4-2 CUNY) 
Where: Lehman College – 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, Bronx, NY 
Last Meeting: 2018 Championship: CSI Men placed 2nd of 5 / CSI Women placed 3rd of 7
Players to Watch (CSI): CSI will be turning to their leaders all season to guide them this weekend in a number of areas.  Michael Stora is CSI’s point leader on the men’s side this season and he will look to medal in his specialty events.  The same goes for Peter Carle, who is expected to challenge in his signature freestyle strokes.  Leo Litovsky is expected to contend in distance events and as part of relay units as well.  Dolphins are hoping for some much-needed points from depth swimmers Michael Blacharski and Sami Jindyeh as well.  On the diving boards, the favorites on both boards will be CSI’s dynamic duo of Xavier Nicholson and Thomas Bridgeman.  On the women’s side, Lisnette Solano is expected to lead the Dolphins in her signature events throughout the weekend.  Look for Cecelia Mauro in distance events and Gabriella Bartley in the short course to also do damage and contend for medals.  Rachel Beyer has had a great start to her career and has shined in the last five CSI meets.  Look for her to be a critical factor in this one as well as Kimberly Hernandez in freestyle competition.  On the diving block, look for Alyssa Dunn and Jen Basini to contend for the gold on the one-meter platform.
News & Notes: The CUNYAC Championship is a three-day event held at Lehman College.  There are 10 events today, five for each side.  On Saturday, the bulk of the meet will take place with a total of 18 events, beginning and ending with diving.  Meet time on Saturday begins at 9am.  Sunday will feature the meet’s final 12 events, beginning with the one-mile freestyle competition at 10am.  After the meet has taken place, an awards ceremony is held, crowning the individual winners and team champions.  The CSI men’s team has won a total of eight championships, including four in a row between 2014-17.  The CSI women’s unit has taken three total titles with their last one coming in 2007.