ST. MARY'S CITY, Md.--Senior Katie Hitchens of the Hood College women's swim team broke the school's 17-year-old record in the 50 freestyle Friday to highlight the first day of competition at the 2008 Capital Athletic Conference championships at St. Mary's College.

In her signature event, Hitchens finished fourth in the championship final with a time of 25.00, breaking the previous school record of 25.40 by N. Cairns from the 1991 season. Hitchens also anchored two relays, the 200 freestyle (1:46.87, 6th place) and the 400 medley (4:29.35, 6th place). The 400 medley relay was also comprised of Kim Wolfgang, Erica Hamor and Amy Kaufman, while the 200 free relay featured Hamor, Ashley Garyn and Kaufman. Additionally, Kaufman placed sixth in the 500 free with a clocking of 5:28.01  to round out the women's championship performances from the first day of competition.

In preliminary action, Melissa Masino was 22nd in the 500 free (6:38.58). In the 200 individual medley, Hamor was 18th (2:27.54), Garyn placed 19th (2:33.80), Meaghan Verleysen was 24th (2:50.19) and Katie Reichard was 25th (3:02.55).

Hood stands in fifth place in the team competition with 80 points. The second day of preliminary action will commence at 10 a.m. Saturday morning.