RIVERDALE, NY -  The MAAC portion of the Iona College men's swimming and divining schedule has begun, as the Gaels took a 145-117 victory over local rival Manhattan College on Friday evening. 

Led by three individual victories by junior Chris Yacobacci and sophomore Nick Kotonias, the gaels won a total of 11 races.  

Yacobacci took first place in the 100-Breastroke just short of one minute at 1:00.90.  He then won by a marginal lead in the 200-Breastroke, finishing in 2:12.98, almost 10 seconds in front of the next swimmer from Manhattan. In his final individual race, Yacobacci breezed by the competition finishing the 200-IM in 2:01.83. The second place finisher came at 2:12.06. 

Kotonias won the 1,000-Free in 10:23.13, the 500-Free in 5:02.50, and then the 200-Butterfly in 2:04.77.

Also accomplishing first place wins for the Gaels were sophomore Justin Grigull in the 200-Freestyle at 1:50.20, junior Michael Wu in the 100-Backstroke in 55:98, and sophomore Mark Wallace in the 200-Backstroke.  Sophomore Tyler Elfert won the 100-Butterfly in 54.55.

The Gaels will have a month off to train before heading to the H2ounds Invitational quad-meet with conference host Loyola, Marist and St. Peter's.