Mary Washington continued its tradition by taking the lead on the first day in both the men's and women's team standings at the CAC Swimming Championships, but St. Mary's is second in both genders after the first day and only 59 points behind the Eagles in the women's standings.

UMW is looking for its 22-straight title on the women's side, and finished the first day with 238 points.   The host Seahawks are in second place with 179 points, just 59 points behind the Eagles, followed by Marymount in third with 131, followed by York (101), Salisbury (79), Hood (73) and Frostburg State (68).

In the Men's standings, Mary Washington scored 280 points in five of the 18 championship events Friday.  Mary Washington is second with 171, followed by York (125), Salisbury (106), Marymount (68), Hood (67) and Frostburg State (26).

In the women's events, Marymount and Mary Washington each claimed two gold medals Friday. 

The Saints opened the meet with a first-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, with sophomore Katherine Moran swimming the lead off leg and senior Anna Macedonia anchoring the gold medal performance.  Macedonia, the 2011 CAC Swimmer of the Year, and Moran then swept the top two spots in the 50 freestyle.

Mary Washington gained its first of two gold medals in the 500 freestyle, where UMW swimmers were among the top 13 finishers in the event.  Senior Megan DeSmit and sophomore Jessica Singer led the way, finishing 1-2 in the event.  The Eagles then finished the night by winning the 400 medley relay as DeSmit picked up her second gold medal of the championship.

St. Mary's stayed close in the standings by finishing second in both relays and sweeping the top two positions in the 200 individual medley.  Junior Kelly Heyde and freshman Brooke Raab were the first two to touch the wall in the event, although Mary Washington swimmers picked up the next four positions.

In the five men's events, four gold medals went to UMW, including both relays, the 500 freestyle and the 50 freestyle.  Junior Nick Eckhoff took top honors in the 500 freestyle while freshman Alex Anderson was the winner in the 50 free.  Eckhoff and Anderson both contributed to the 400 medley relay victory.

St. Mary's junior Cameron Hedquist picked up the other first-place finish Friday, touching the wall first in the 200 IM.  Hedquist also anchored SMC's second-place 400 medley relay team, helping the Seahawks into second place in the men's standings.

Championship action continues Saturday and Sunday at SMC.  On both days, the morning preliminary swims begin at 10 a.m., followed by the evening championship races at 6 p.m.