This is what they have worked so hard for all season long. Those early morning practices, the hardcore lifting sessions, winter break in Florida and finally tapering — were all for Championships.

The America East Swimming & Diving Championships began Thursday at Boston University’s Aquatic Center and will run through Sunday evening.

Yesterday’s opening day was certainly not without controversy and drama. Immediately after the Binghamton men’s 800-free relay team of freshman Brenno Varanda, freshman Andrew Palumbo, junior Brian Koizim and senior Wade Rimbach touched in second (6:55.05), they were disqualified for a false start. Finally, after the meet was over, the medals were given out and the standings for day one were announced, the officials reviewed the video because assistant coach Sean Clark contested the call.

“Sean went to overview it because he thought that I was late and the video showed that I was late, and that the official had read off the DQ based on the team in lane 6, rather then the 6th placed team,” Palumbo said. A mistake had been made, and they had disqualified the wrong team. Binghamton was reinstated and given silver.

Aside from the unwarranted controversy, Binghamton’s 200-medley relay team of Koizim, Varanda, junior David Holmes and sophomore Kaan Tayla was victorious (1:32.14). Varanda, Koizim and Palumbo all swam best times in their events. Binghamton also had the fastest back, fly and free splits of the meet. Tayla swam the 50 free portion of the medley relay in 19.27. In order for Tayla to qualify for NCAAs, he will need 19.74 from a flat start, and Friday is his chance to get it done.