SIOUX FALLS – Sarah Schank closed the door this time around at the Summit League Swimming and Diving Championships presented by the U.S. Air Forces Special Operations.
 
Schank, a senior, claimed her first Summit League title when she prevailed over a field of 14 divers in the three-meter event, scoring 279.75 points, to kick off action at the Midco Aquatic Center.
 
The Coyote men's 800 free relay team captured the Summit League title, its first ever, after Denver was disqualified, becoming the first team other than Denver to win a swimming event since 2016 at the Summit League Championships.


 
The men's and women's 200 medley relay teams each swam to runner-up finishes and school records to highlight the opening day as the men's team holds the team lead (74 points) and the women's team sits in second (114 points)
 
The day, however, began with a little role reversal this year, Schank and sophomore teammate Haley Pederson finished 1-2 on the three-meter event as the women's team got off to a strong start in the four-day meet. A year ago it was Pederson winning and Schank getting second on the three-meter board.
 
"I think it's good, especially being the first event," said Schank. "Push our team to have a really good strong start and hopefully we can keep that momentum going the rest of the week."
 
Schank, trying not to pay attention to the scoreboard during the final competition, did get a peak towards the end to see where she stood. It didn't end up bothering the 11-time Summit League diver of the week honoree.
 
"Wasn't really thinking about it too much, didn't really think about the scores going into finals," she said. "I didn't really know where I was at all, but going into the last dive I knew I was up there so I peeked a little bit, I couldn't help myself.
 
"So kind of knew I was up there, last dive I just wanted to do really well and I think I did it went well."
 
Schank, who will compete in Friday's one-meter event, was relieved following competition with that gold medal around her neck.
 
"It feels pretty good, it feels like a long time coming," she said.
 
Pederson, meanwhile, last year's champ scored 270.50 points in the finals to finish second and earn all-league honors in the event, like Schank, for the second straight season.
 
The momentum from the diving carried over to the swimming finals on day one, a pair of relays in the 200 medley and 800 free.
 
The women's 200 medley foursome of Sabrina Sabadeanu, Meghan Atwell, Hannah Gupton and Katie Coleman set a new school record in 1:43.10 in finishing second and earning all-league honors.
 
The men's 200 medley foursome of Brady Torborg, James Ryan, Jared Thorson and Charlie Bean, followed suit, in setting a new school record of 1:30.32 in finishing second and earning all-league honors.
 
After the women's 800 free relay foursome of Taylor Kidd, Quinn Fawcett, Maddie Lavin and Kristen Quigley finished fourth the men's team followed and thanks to a strong anchor kick from freshman Jacob Won, moved up from second to first after the Denver DQ.
 
Won, who entered the pool in fourth place, made up two full body lengths to secure the victory for the Coyotes, joining teammates Jake Leichner, Elbert Chuang and Stephen Johnson in winning in 6:43.22.