BALTIMORE, Md. - Niagara senior Pat Garvey (Pine Bush, N.Y.) claimed the MAAC title in the 200-yard freestyle, rewriting the record books yet again with a time of 1:40.93. The championship is the first in Garvey's illustrious career.

Garvey, who broke three new school records in the past two days, finished second in the 50 free on Thursday. His 200 free time was more than a second and a half better than the second place finisher.

The good times by both Purple Eagle teams improved their standings. The men moved up to fourth place, while the women now stand at fifth.

Ashley Clingersmith (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) set a new school record in the 200 free by finishing fifth with a 1:55.75, almost two second better than the previous record set this season by freshman Elizabeth Piggott (Staatsburg, N.Y.). Piggott finished 11th in the 200 free with a time of 2:00.28.

Freshman Ian O'Rourke (Grand Island, N.Y.) also had a career day in Baltimore. The rookie set a Niagara record in the 3-meter dive (11 dives) with a score of 441.25, finishing fourth.

Dana Vernal (Milford, Conn.) finished fifth in the 400 Individual Medley. Earlier in the day, the sophomore snapped a 15-year-old mark in the 400 IM with a time of 4:42.49. Vernal, who broke the 500 free record in yesterday's finals, placng fifth, bested the old 400 IM mark set by Melissa Sargent 4:42.96 set in 1993.

The women's 800-yard freestyle relay team of Vernal, Piggott, Hope Wiles (Baltimore, Md.) and Clingersmith also broke a school record with a time of 8:05.76. They broke the old mark that they set earlier this season.