SHU off to Scorching Start at BIG EAST Championship

Geneva, Ohio – The Seton Hall men's and women's swimming & diving teams broke school records in nearly every event on the opening night of the 2018 BIG EAST Championship held inside the Spire Institute. The men are currently tied for first and the women stand in third.

In the opening event of competition, the quartet of senior Kylene Ronayne (Springfield, Pa.), sophomore Sara Ouellette (Granby, Conn.), sophomore Clara Capone (West Hartford, Conn.) and junior Courtney McCardle (Hurley, N.Y.) swam a school-record 7:25.24 in the 800 free relay to earn a silver medal.

The men's rendition of the 800 free relay went similarly, as seniors Noah Yanchulis (Arnold, Md.) and Vadim Jacobson (Arnold, Md.), junior Lior Grubert (Yehud-Monosson, Israel) and sophomore Tyler Kauth (Wall, N.J.) finished with a school-record and gold-medal winning time of 6:32.39. Furthermore, Yanchulis broke his own 200 free program-record in the opening leg of the relay (1:36.21).

Congrats to Noah Yanchulis, Vadim Jacobson, Lior Grubert and Tyler Kauth for swimming a school-record, gold-medal winning time of 6:32.39 in the 800 free relay! #HALLin pic.twitter.com/BuvhmPKDM7
— SHU Swim & Dive (@SHUSwimDive) February 22, 2018

Freshman Taylor Jackson (Thornton, Colo.) put on an incredible display off the 3-meter board, and took home her first BIG EAST gold medal with a school-record score of 546.00.

SHE DID IT!!! Freshman Taylor Jackson WINS the 3M Dive with a program-record 546.00!! #HALLin pic.twitter.com/t8DHlyw4AZ
— SHU Swim & Dive (@SHUSwimDive) February 22, 2018

In the final event of the night, the 200 medley relay, the men finished third and the women placed fourth.

Through the first six events, the men are tied with Villanova for first with 72 points, and the women are in third with 83 points behind Georgetown (125) and Villanova (105).

Up next, the Pirates are back at it on Thursday for 10 a.m. prelims and 6 p.m. finals at Spire Institute. The meet will continue to be streamed live on the BIG EAST Digital Network, simulcast via FOX Sports GO.

Men BIG EAST Champions
800 Free Relay – Noah Yanchulis, Vadim Jacobson, Lior Grubert, Tyler Kauth – 3:24.50*

Women BIG EAST Champions
3M Dive – Taylor Jackson – 346.00*

*school record

Men's Standings Through Event 6 (Day One)
1. Seton Hall – 72
1. Villanova – 72
3. Georgetown – 64
3. Xavier – 64
5. Providence – 56

Women's Standings Through Event 6 (Day One)
1. Georgetown – 125
2. Villanova – 105
3. Seton Hall – 83
4. Providence – 67
5. Xavier – 64
6. Butler - 54