Franklin Regional grad Fishell makes splash at Kenyon

A lot has been expected of Franklin Regional alum Mason Fishell in his first season on the Kenyon men’s swimming and diving team.

A diver, Fishell ranks among team leaders with scores of 301.27 points on the 1-meter board and 300 on the 3-meter.

“(Coming) to Kenyon, I knew that Drew Albrecht — another freshman — and I would be the first divers (who) weren’t walk-ons in quite a while,” Fishell said. “I wasn’t sure how good Drew was, but after (another diver) graduated, I knew the men’s diving team was lacking in a sense.

“Drew has made tremendous strides and now comfortably beats me on 3M. On 1M, we are about evenly matched.”

Kenyon diving coach Ron Kontura expects Fishell to be among top competitors in the North Coast Athletic Conference championship meet Feb. 12-15 at Denison.

He said he will be a key contributor to the team’s run for its first NCAA Division III title since 2015.

The Lords have won 34 NCAA Division III crowns since 1980, the most of any program. They are 5-2 this season.

Kontura said Fishell will compete in an NCAA qualifying meet in February.

“He’s an amazing athlete,” Kontura said. “His aesthetic lines are gorgeous. (He is) a pretty diver to watch.”

Kontura said Fishell is a leader, whose grades are close to perfect.

“He’s a true student-athlete,” Kontura said. “Teachers are enthused to have him.”

Fishell, who plans to major in mathematics and physics, said the biggest adjustment to college diving has been the 3-meter board. He placed fifth at the WPIAL Class AAA championship and qualified for the PIAA meet on the boys 1-meter last season.

“Even though 3M is just two meters higher, it seems like a whole new world,” he said. “Smacking on the water is a whole new kinda pain from up there.

“Emotionally, dealing with the fear that comes with that is definitely something I need to work on.”

Fishell said Albrecht, an Aurora, Ohio, native, inspires him.