Bulldogs win first relay gold, tied for second after day one of MAACs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's swimming and diving team won its first-ever relay gold medal to highlight the first night of the 2017 MAAC Swim & Dive Championships in Buffalo, N.Y.

Thanks to the first-place finish, the Bulldogs scored 88 points on Wednesday are tied for second with Rider. Canisius is in first place after day one with 104 points.

The Black and Gold knew they had a chance to win their first relay gold heading into the weekend and they made it a reality by winning the 200 medley relay to open the week. Colin Curtin (Wethersfield, Conn.), Ben Schulte (Tumon, Guam), Benon Boyadjian (Middlebury, Conn.) and George Sommerville (Pittsfield, Mass.) teamed up to win the event with a program-record time of 1:29.88. Curtin opened with a time of 22.92 in the back, Schulte followed with a time of 24.09 in the breast, Boyadjian then posted a 22.03 in the fly and Sommerville closed the victory with a time of 20.84.

Bryant also took home a bronze medal in the 800 free relay to close the night. Schulte, Robert Davis (Glastonbury, Conn.), Juan Gonzalez (Al Safa, Dubai) and Curtin combined to post a time of 6:46.86.

Individually, Kevin Sullivan (East Lyme, Conn.) and Zach Vogel (South Easton, Mass.) competed in the 1 meter dive. Sullivan and Vogel finished 1-2 in the 'B' final and ninth and 10th overall. Sullivan posted a score of 223.95, 20 points better than his score last year. Vogel posted a score of 164.20.

The meet continues on Thursday with events set to begin at 10:00 a.m.