The parking lots in Washington, D.C., were packed with excited spectators, eagerly anticipating the event. The crowd could have easily been there for a football or basketball game, both staples of college sports, but instead, they filled the stands for a college swim meet.
Georgetown’s Hoyas recently secured two significant victories over the Howard Bison in the third edition of “The Battle at the Burr,” with over 1,000 fans in attendance. This event has quickly become one of the premier spectacles in college swimming, selling out in days and gaining national attention. The two teams have built a strong community around the meet, setting it apart in a sport that traditionally struggles to draw large crowds. Once again, in its third year, the “Battle” continued to elevate the sport to new levels.
For those involved, the electric atmosphere has always been a standout feature. Howard sophomore Ameer Bashir spoke about the “nerves and butterflies” brought on by the high-energy crowd, but noted that it helped produce some outstanding performances for the Bison. This was evident early on when Howard’s men’s medley relay narrowly edged out Georgetown for both first and third places by less than half a second.
Georgetown, meanwhile, saw the meet as a test of their competitive edge. Coach Jack Leavitt mentioned how being outnumbered in the stands only motivated his team more. The Hoyas fought hard in the women’s medley relay, securing first and third by similarly slim margins. Leavitt called it a “unique environment,” attributing it to the strong performances from both teams.
As the meet progressed, both sides had the chance to show off their strengths. Georgetown’s deep roster on the women’s side helped them build a commanding lead. Leavitt emphasized the team’s depth, especially after battling illness before the meet. Freshman Kaitlin Lee emerged as one of the stars, finishing second in the 200 freestyle and first in the 500 freestyle. Lee described the atmosphere as “surreal” and a key factor in her performance.
On the men’s side, the competition was more evenly matched. Both teams exchanged victories, but Georgetown’s dominance in the distance events ultimately gave them the edge. Leavitt credited the team’s training for their strong finishes in the longer races. Senior Jack Januario, who won the 500 freestyle, highlighted the bond among the distance swimmers, calling them “a community.”
Despite Georgetown’s wins, Howard kept the meet competitive with strong performances from Taj Benton and Mason Green in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly. Over the three years of “The Battle at the Burr,” the event has attracted some of the biggest names in swimming, including Olympians Cullen Jones, Maritza McLendon, and Simone Manuel. Olympic announcer Rowdy Gaines called the meet, adding to its prestige.
Januario described the atmosphere as having “a very cool aura,” which helped him stay calm and confident throughout. That confidence paid off, as Georgetown secured key finishes, including a win in the women’s 200 freestyle relay and top placements in the 100 breaststroke, resulting in a 133-90 victory for the women and a 117-107 win for the men.
Although Howard didn’t claim a victory, the team achieved something bigger: establishing an event that transcends college swimming. Bashir acknowledged the significance of the event, especially with Howard being the only Division I HBCU swimming and diving program. Coach Nic Askew and his staff have done an excellent job bringing the community together, Bashir said.
Leavitt also praised Askew for creating an exciting and groundbreaking event in the world of college swimming.
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