BRUNSWICK, Maine - Defending champion Williams College raced out to a 117-point lead after Day One of the 2011 NESCAC Men's Swimming and Diving Championships Friday at Greason Pool on the campus of Bowdoin College. On a day that featured three NESCAC and five pool records, the Ephs (693.5) built a sizable advantage over second-place Amherst (576.5) heading into Saturday's second day of competition.

Williams opened the proceedings on Friday evening with a repeat win in the 200 freestyle relay. The team of Ben Wampler, Andrew D'Ignazio, Tom Vieth and Gary Roberson posted a time of 1:22.47, edging Middlebury by 0.77 seconds for the victory. Bowdoin's Nathan Mecray claimed his second consecutive NESCAC crown in the 50 breaststroke, establishing a new pool record in a time of 26.25. Middlebury rookie Ian MacKay also set a new pool mark of 22.31 to take first place in the 50 butterfly.

Later in the evening, MacKay and Wampler raced to a deadlock in the 50 freestyle, both posting identical times of 20.60 to earn a tie for first. 

Amherst senior Alex Fraser claimed his third-straight NESCAC title in the 500 freestyle (4:29.22) while Connecticut College junior Timothy Walsh reclaimed his NESCAC crown in the 50 backstroke after a one-year absence by setting a new conference record in 22.78. Williams sophomore Paul Dyrkacz set a new NESCAC mark in the 200 IM (1:49.93) and freshman Johann Schmidt of Tufts claimed the one-meter diving competition with a score of 462.50 in the finals.

Amherst closed the night with another conference record, as the team of Reid Fitzgerald, Ben McBratney, Tyler Bulakul and Fraser posted a time of 3:20.82 in the 400 medley relay.

Team Scores (Day One of Three)
1. Williams (693.5)
2. Amherst (576.5)
3. Tufts (481)
4. Middlebury (385)
5. Bowdoin (282.5)
6. Bates (260)
7. Connecticut College (240)
8. Hamilton (215.5)
9. Trinity (153)
10. Colby (151)
11. Wesleyan (116)

Friday's Results
200 Freestyle Relay - Williams College (1:22.47)
50 Breaststroke - Nathan Mecray, Bowdoin (26.25)!
50 Fly - Ian MacKay, Middlebury (22.31)!
500 Freestyle - Alex Fraser, Amherst (4:29.22)
50 Backstroke - Timothy Walsh, Connecticut College (22.78)*!
200 IM - Paul Dyrkacz, Williams (1:49.93)*!
50 Freestyle - Ian MacKay, Middlebury and Ben Wampler, Williams (20.60)
400 Medley Relay - Amherst (3:20.82)*!
One Meter Dive - Johann Schmidt, Tufts (462.50)

! - Greason Pool Record
* - NESCAC Record