Through two races, the William and Mary men's swimming is undefeated at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships, winning both events on the opening night of the week of racing. The Tribe scored 80 points to hold the clubhouse lead on Wednesday night, ahead of UNCW (68) and Drexel (60).
Complete ResultsThe night began with the 200 medley relay, where the team of
Will Manion (Haddonfield, N.J.),
Andrew Strait (Henrico, Va.),
Justin Barden (Gordonsville, Va.), and
Billy Russell (Newport News, Va.) combined to touch the wall in 1:27.43, winning the conference title. The performance broke the school record by .81 seconds, and was just .03 behind the conference record. It was also the first-ever win for the Tribe in a 200-yard relay in 55 conference meets.
Next up was the 800 free relay, which saw the team of
Taegan Clarke (Chappaqua, N.Y.), Strait, Manion, and Russell combine to break the conference and school records in 6:31.77 for the victory. It was the fourth-straight title in the event for W&M, and just the ninth streak of four or more relay wins for any school in conference history. Clarke's lead-off split of 1:38.34 was a lifetime-best by a full second, and the sixth-fastest time ever swum at W&M. He is just the fourth athlete in school history to dip under 1:39.0 in the 200 free.
The two wins tonight gave Strait six conference titles in his career, one behind the school record of seven by
George Collins '70, and also tied him with former teammate
Hunter Perrot '13 for the program record with three relay titles. Manion now has three CAA titles in his young career, two in relays, while Russell and Clarke have two conference titles apiece. The 200 medley win was the first conference title for Barden.
Thursday, the first prelims session begins at 10:00 a.m. with races in the 500 free, the 200 IM, and 50 free.
2014 Colonial Athletic Association Swimming and Diving ChampionshipsTeam Standings1. William and Mary 602. UNCW 68
3. Drexel 60
4. College of Charleston 58
4. Towson 58
6. Delaware 56
