Photo by: Brian Nelson
Photo by: Brian Nelson
Posted: Feb 16, 2018

Bulldogs set MAAC record in 400 medley relay, claim third after Day 3

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Powered by four medals in back to back races and a sensational relay to finish the night, the Bryant University men's swimming and diving team took control of third after Day 3 of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships, totalling 343.5 points.

Coach Cameron's comments

"That was definitely one of the most exciting relays I've ever seen in my 20 years of coaching. We set a new conference record with four incredible guys. It wasn't just them tonight. Everybody swam very well and have been very disciplined but are also having a lot of fun. Now we're all looking forward to the last day."

Prelim Highlights

  • The Bulldogs qualified for six "A" finals on the night, the most for the swimmers at the meet.
  • Senior Benon Boyadjian (Middlebury, Conn.) swam to a second-place finish in the 100 fly (48.70), finishing 0.11 behind eventual gold-medalist Justin Carey.
  • Sophomore Zach Digiaro (Middletown, N.J.) qualified for a "B" final, claiming the 16th spot with a time of 51.11.
  • Sophomore Robert Davis (Glastonbury, Conn.) finished 14th in the 200 free prelims (1:43.75), setting him up with a "B" final spot.
  • Senior Ben Schulte (Tumon, Guam) and junior Tavish Boyle (Springfield, N.J.) both finished in the Top 3 of the 100 breast prelims, with Schulte swimming a 54.24 and Boyle clocking in at 55.06.
  • Senior George Sommerville (Pittsfield, Mass.) qualified for the "B" final in the event, swimming a time of 58.45.
  • Three Bulldogs qualified for the 100 back "A" final, with Boyadjian joining freshman Matthew Mays (St. Croix, Virgin Islands) and senior Colin Curtin (Wethersfield, Conn.).
  • Sophomore Cyrus Nabavi (Murray, Kent.) and freshman Colby Dixon (Summit, N.J.) swam in the "B" final.

Finals Highlights

  • Schulte (53.89) and Boyle (54.60) finished 1-2 in the 100 breast, claiming the Black and Gold's first gold medal of the meet.
  • Mays (49.36) and Curtin (49.69) followed that up with a 2-3 finish in the 100 back.
  • Boyadjian finished fourth in the 100 fly final and eighth in the 100 back final.
  • The Bulldogs ended the night with a 400 medley relay win (3:16.25), coming from a second and a half down after the first 100 to fend off Rider for the gold medal.

Stats and Notes

  • This is the second straight MAAC Championships that Schulte and Boyle have gone 1-2 in a final. Last season, it was in the 200 breast.
  • The Bulldogs are now up to nine Top 3 finishes on the meet, with two first-place finishes, five second-place finishes and two third-place finishes.
  • Boyadjian set a school record with this time of 48.70 in the 100 fly prelims.
  • Mays' 49.36 in the 100 back final is a new school record.
  • Bryant's 400 medley relay set a new MAAC record.

Up Next

The final day of the MAAC Championships commences tomorrow at 10 a.m., with the mile being featured just after 2:00 p.m. and finals starting at 6:00 p.m.