By AJ Mercincavage

The swimming and diving team set the first new school relay record in five years at the first day of competition at the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship meet yesterday.

The 200-yard medley relay team of juniors Alexandra Doty and Heather Whiting, senior Kara Lane and sophomore Kathrine Fugge finished with a time of 1:44.52, taking third in the event and topping the 2004 school record by almost two seconds.

“Our coaches were all jumping and going crazy,” said co-captain Lane. “They all gave us hugs after the medley. To beat the record and by as much as we did, it was great.”

The 200-yard medley was first of three events scheduled for the first day of competition, which also included three-meter diving and the 800-yard freestyle relay.

Senior Brooks Wallace placed fourth in the three-meter diving finals.

Fellow divers junior Courtney Flanagan and freshman Emily Brandt placed 14th and 15th, earning spots in the consolation finals.

“It was really tough competition,” Wallace said. “We’re looking forward to one-meter diving. One-meter is a little less stressful.”

The 800-yard freestyle relay team of sophomores Alexis Kalevich and Emily Sutliff, freshman Carolyn Marsh and Fugge had a season best time of 7:43.19 to place eighth.

“They didn’t place all that great,” Lane said of the free relay, “but it’s exciting to have girls go personal best times.”

The Huskies, currently in sixth place after their relay outings, are looking forward to three more days of competition. Diving scores were not available as of press time.

“We’re happy with what’s happened but looking ahead,” Lane said. “It wasn’t our strongest events today. Our best days will be Friday and Saturday. As the days go on we’ll be more excited.”

Friday and Saturday will be important days for the Huskies, who have 16 swimmers and divers ranked in the top 10 for preliminary events and others in position for consolation finishes.

Among the most promising events for the Huskies are the 100-yard breaststroke, in which Northeastern swimmers are seeded first and second, and the 200-yard butterfly, where Lane holds the top seed.

Today’s events include the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley, the 50-yard freestyle and the 400-yard medley relay.

The CAA will continue at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. until Saturday, March 1, culminating in the 400-yard freestyle relay.