2012 Liberty graduate and Washington College freshman, Eric Burcin, won five medals, including two gold, and broke several school records at the Centennial Conference Championship Swim Meet last month at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa.

Burcin's first gold medal came in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 58.54, breaking the school record he had set in preliminaries with a time of 58.68. Burcin's new record had not been broken in 16 years.

"It felt great. I was really nervous going into it. I knew the time I needed to beat. As soon as I hit the wall... It was my goal throughout the whole year. That was my main focus," Burcin said.

Burcin's second gold medal came in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:05.59, making him the Shoremen's second fastest swimmer ever in the event.

"I was aware of [the record], but my main focus was the 100," said Burcin.

Burcin also won two silver medals, one in the 200 free relay, which broke a school record with a time of 1:25.37, and one in the 200 medley relay, which also broke a school record with a time of 1:34.80.

Washington College's 400 medley relay, of which Burcin is a part, won a bronze medal and broke a school record with a time of 3:30.42.

"All the relays were pretty close. It was really great because we had one of the best relays there. [The relay] was one of the first events, and that's what really pushed us. It motivates you to do well in other events," Burcin said.

The Shoremen's pre-season training began in August, but their most grueling training took place over the Christmas break in Key West, Fl.

"It was really hard. It was tough. The practices were intense. We had doubles. It was really strenuous," said Burcin.

Burcin is in the Lehigh Valley on spring break until March 17, but he has found a home-away-from-home at Washington College in Maryland.

"It's a really small school, so the whole campus bonds, but then we have groups and teams. We love our sport and what we do. The upperclassmen take you under their wing. It's where I want to be and what I want to do. It really feels like home there," Burcin said.