Mary Washington took its place atop the men's and women's team standings after the first day of competition at the 2009 Capital Athletic Conference Swimming Championships, which included eight record-setting performances in 10 events.

Through 10 events, UMW leads the men's standings with 245 points, followed by York (177), St. Mary's (148), Marymount (116), Salisbury (94), Hood (63) and Gallaudet (50).

On the women's side, the Eagles compiled 280 points to take the lead over host St. Mary's, which is second with 192.  Marymount is third (106), followed by Salisbury (97), York (78), Hood (54) and Gallaudet (51).

The Mary Washington men captured top honors in four of five events Friday.  Sophomores Tyler Henderson (4:37.64 in 500 freestyle) and Stephen Clendenin (1:53.76 in 200 IM) both set CAC records in winning individual events and contributed to the gold-medal winning 400 medley relay team (3:28.70).  UMW also opened Friday's competition with a win in the 200 freestyle relay (1:25.73).

Marymount senior Greg Murtha won the other men's gold Friday, turning in a 20.64 performance in the 50 freestyle.

Henderson, Clendenin and Murtha all set conference records in the individual events, and the UMW 400 medley relay team also lowered the conference standard.  All three individuals also posted NCAA "B" cuts in their events.

In the women's competition, seniors Brie McDowell and Eleanor Koerner combined to help St. Mary's win four of five events.  McDowell won the 200 IM (2:05.48) while Koerner captured top honors in the 50 freestyle (24.23). 

SMC also touched the wall first in both of Friday's relays.  McDowell and Koerner helped SMC win the 400 medley relay in 3:53.14.  The Seahawks also took top honors in the 200 freestyle relay (1:36.27).

McDowell's performance set a CAC record and automatically qualified for the NCAA championship meet in March.  Koerner and both relay teams registered NCAA  "B" cuts.

Mary Washington sophomore Sarah Crockett grabbed the other first place award in the 500 freestyle, which saw the Eagles post the six best times in the championship race (and seven of the top eight).  Crockett's time was a conference record and an automatic qualifying performance for the NCAA championships.

Competition will continue Saturday and Sunday at St. Mary's College, beginning with trials races at 10 a.m. and championship events at 6 p.m. each day.