FAIRFAX, VA -- The University of Delaware men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams opened the annual Colonial Athletic Association Championships with strong showings in the 800 freestyle relay Wednesday night at George Mason University’s McKay Natatorium as the women placed fourth and the men set a school record in the event.

Five events were held on opening night Wednesday as final competitions were also held in the 200 medley relay and in the women’s three-meter diving. The four-day meet will continue Thursday with preliminaries at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

Defending champion UNC Wilmington took the lead in the men’s team standings with 68 points followed by George Mason, Old Dominion, James Madison, William & Mary, Towson, College of Charleston, Delaware (eighth with 44 points), and Davidson. The Delaware women are currently in fourth place with 70 points behind leader George Mason (111 points), William & Mary, and defending champion UNC Wilmington. Towson is fifth followed by Davidson, Northeastern, Drexel, College of Charleston, James Madison, and Old Dominion.

The Delaware women placed fifth in the team standings a year ago while the Blue Hen men finished eighth.

The women’s 800 freestyle relay posted the best finish for the Blue Hens Wednesday as the team of Meredith Law (at right), Stephanie House, Kendall Warren, and Maryann Walker placed fourth with a time of 7:39.17, the second best time in school history. Delaware’s 200 medley relay team of Emily Watts, Kellie Pastore, Sarah Begley, and Rachel Greene also placed sixth with a time of 1:48.16, the third best time in school history.

Individually, Delaware diver Sarah Bergan placed ninth in the three-meter diving event with 198.50 points while teammate Emily Pretz was 12th and Lisa Goyette finished 19th.

On the men’s side, Delaware’s 800 freestyle relay team of Andrew Zinn, Brendan Spencer, John Ohlhaver, and Adam Blomberg placed sixth overall with a school record time of 6:53.59, breaking the previous UD record of 6:55.18 set by Scott Edmonds, Bob Bunda, Doug Copper, and Karl Saimre in 1988-89.

The Hens also placed ninth in the 200 medley relay as the team of Adam Mullan, Mark Erdosy, Scott Tsuchitani, and Zinn swam to a time of 1:35.55.

AGATE:

Women’s Team Standings After Day One: 1. George Mason - 111; 2. William & Mary - 80; 3. UNC Wilmington - 76; 4. Delaware - 70; 5. Towson - 64; 6. Davidson - 62; 7. Northeastern - 59; 8. Drexel - 57; 9. College of Charleston - 52; 10. James Madison - 46; 11. Old Dominion - 38.

Delaware Competitors: 4th Place - 800 Freestyle Relay (Meredith Law, Stephanie House, Kendall Warren, Maryann Walker), 7:39.17; 6th Place - 200 Medley Relay (Emily Watts, Kellie Pastore, Sarah Begley, Rachel Greene), 1:48.16; 9th Place - Sarah Bergan, 3m diving (198.50 points); 12th Place - Emily Pretz, 3m diving (187.40); 19th Place - Lisa Goyette, 3m diving (164.0)

Complete Results