NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The Navy men's swimming and diving team (8-3) won 10 events to post a 176-118 victory over Columbia (3-5), Friday afternoon at Uris Natatorium in New York City.

"The team did a solid job from beginning to end today," said Navy head coach Bill Roberts.  "There were several close races, which is always the case when we compete against Columbia.  

"I was very happy with the way we raced today and feel we took steps forward as we get closer to championship meet time."

The Mids took an early lead by placing first, second and third in the three-meter diving event and first and second in the 200 medley relay.  The Lions answered by winning four of the next five events to make the score 68-52 in favor of the Mids.

Navy won each of the next five events to build some separation from Columbia.

"Columbia made a terrific push to get back into the meet heading into the 50 free," said Roberts.  "Our sprinters, led by Jonah Harm, scored some critical points to allow us to maintain a good gap going into the first break.  After the diving, we were able to keep the momentum going in the 100 free and 200 back and continue to build upon our lead."

Finn Gelbach won both diving boards for the Mids.  He posted scores of 300.30 to win the one-meter board by 21 points and 344.78 points to win the three-meter event by 35 points.

Jonah Harm started the aforementioned run of five-straight Navy wins as he won the 50 free by six-hundredths of a second with his time of 20.63.  He would go on to win the 100 fly by 38-hundredths of a second with his time of 47.69.  Harm also added victories in the 200 medley and 400 free relay races.

Juan Mora recorded a time of 55.60 to win the 100 breast by 13-hundredths of a second.  Ben Denman-Grimm won the 100 free by five-hundredths of a second with his effort of 45.60.  Ben Irwin had a 1.71-second margin of victory in the 200 back with his time of 1:48.10.  Completing the list of individual event winners was Michael Phillips with his time of 2:03.59 that won the 200 breast by 33-hundredths of a second.

Irwin, Mora and Gavin Green joined Harm on the victorious 200 medley relay team.  The 400 free relay team consisted of Harm, Denman-Grimm, Ben Stankovich and Patrick Colwell.

The Mids will join the Navy women's team in playing host to the Navy Invitational Feb. 3 in Lejeune Hall.