On Nov. 10, 2001, the Massachusetts men’s swimming and diving team dismantled Boston University, 223-73. On that day, then sophomore Conner Townson set a Joseph R. Rogers, Jr. Pool record in the 200-yard butterfly.

This season’s match was no different as UMass was a heavy favorite over the Terriers and the Minutemen cruised to an easy victory over BU, 181-113.

“We always seem to step up more against them than anybody else, because they’re an old rivalry within the state,” sophomore Dylan Smith said. “We do our best out there against [BU].”

There was a trio of performers that shined in the meet. Smith dominated his competition by capturing three first-place finishes – the 100-yard backstroke (54.80), the 200-yard backstroke (1:57.14), and the 100-yard butterfly (52.37). Smith was considered UMass’ top returner this season after a breakout freshman season.

“The training in the pool has been pretty insane. I guess that’s only way to get fast,” said Smith, who was given All-Atlantic 10 honors in the 2001-02 season.

The other two athletes within this trio, senior Matt Keane and sophomore Matt Woodward, each contributed with a pair of wins. Keane won the 1,000-yard freestyle (9:58.25) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:50.37). Woodward was victorious in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:01.26) and the 200-breaststroke (2:16.94).

Following the lead of those three, the rest of the Minutemen were able to take away three more first-place finishes. Senior Rob Bellamy won the 200-yard freestyle (2:00.30) while sophomore Glenn Ginnish finished first in the 200-yard butterfly (2:16.94). The 200-yard medley relay team of junior Connor Towson, sophomore Ryan Matthews, Smith and Woodward was also victorious on the day with a time of 1:38.20. In total, the Maroon and White complied a total of eight first place finishes.

The versatility of the roster is showing early this season. In meets against UNH and BU, a variety of different swimmers have earned the team points, though Smith, Woodward and Keane are the only swimmers to take first-place finishes in the last two contests.

“We always have different people contributing in different meets,” Smith said. “It’s good to know that there’s a bunch of other guys on the team you can count on, no matter who it is.”

The squad will get a rest for this week, and its next meet will be against St. John’s on Nov. 23. St. John’s was one of only three non-invitational losses for the Minutemen last season.