Barnard, McCardle, Robinson to Join The Hall in 2015-16

June 24, 2015

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – After graduating just four seniors last month, the Seton Hall women's swimming & diving squad has strengthened a returning contingent ripe with depth across the board with the additions of prep standouts Emily Barnard (Galloway, N.J.), Courtney McCardle (Hurley, N.Y.) and Aitana Robinson (London, Ontario) head coach Ron Farina announced on Wednesday.

The Pirates are set to return 22 members of a team that opened 2014-15 with six consecutive victories and then went on to place six on the All-BIG EAST squad; all of whom will be back in blue & white next season.

"When we are recruiting, there are several things we consider," said Farina. "Our eyes are always on contending for championships so we're looking for competitors who are versatile and can step in and help the team in a number of areas. Emily, Courtney and Aitana are all gifted swimmers with the ability to excel regardless of which events they end up competing in."

Seton Hall placed fourth as a team at the BIG EAST Championships for the second consecutive year following a campaign in which four of the team's top-five point scorers were underclassmen. Rising senior Gabby Signorelli (Massapequa, N.Y.) captured her third and fourth BIG EAST titles from the diving board while in the pool, two freshmen in Kat Carson (Katy, Texas) and Sydney Simpson (Tallahassee, Fla.) joined the sophomore duo of Melody Bush (Guelph, Ontario) and Tessa Lindner (Sun Prairie, Wisc.) in earning all-conference honors in a combined total of six events.

Rising senior Megan Mallon (Glen Mills, Pa.) took home her second silver medal in the 100-breaststroke; one of two top-three performances she contributed to at the meet.

As a whole, The Hall will return team members responsible for nearly 85 percent of the team's scoring efforts from the conference meet in February.

"I think it's right there for us," added Farina. "In the last two years, our team has seen what they are capable of and what it will take to get where we want to go. We are looking forward to bringing Emily, Courtney and Aitana on board, getting back, and continuing to work towards our goals."

EMILY BARNARD
Galloway, N.J.
High School: Asbegami High School
Club: Egg Harbor Township Seahawks

BARNARD PROFILE

Three-time First Team Press All-Star
State championship qualifier who also competed as part of the Speedo Champions Series
Competed for the same club as current Pirate Katie Adams
Expected to compete primarily in freestyle and backstroke events

COURTNEY MC CARDLE
Hurley, N.Y.
High School: Kingston
Club: Kingston YMCA

MC CARDLE PROFILE

New York State Section IX 100-breast champion and record holder
Owns multiple Kingston High School records including the 200-IM mark she set as a senior
State championship qualifier who also qualified for YMCA state and national championships on the club level
Will add depth in breaststroke and individual medley events among others

AITANA ROBINSON
London, Ontario
High School: Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School
Club: London Aquatic Club

ROBINSON PROFILE

Qualified for Canadian junior and senior national championships
Earned a pair of silver medals at the Provincial Championship meet
Set multiple individual club records including two in backstroke events
Personal-best times in 100 and 200-backstroke rate among top-six marks from 2015 BIG EAST Championships
Expected to solidify backstroke lineup and compete in relays as well