FAIRFAX, Va. – Sophomore Julie Brown broke her own school record in the 50-yard freestyle on Thursday and contributed to a 200-yard medley relay time trial that also set a new school record on a successful opening day of competition for the SU women's swimming team from the 2011 Patriot Invitational held at the George Mason University Aquatic and Fitness Center.

Brown posted the second-fastest time in the morning preliminaries with a mark of 23.61 seconds – a NCAA 'B' cut that was 0.19 seconds faster than the school record that she set on the first day of last year's Patriot Invitational. She placed third in Thursday night's finals with a time of 23.77 seconds.

At the conclusion of the day's first session, Brown swam the anchor leg of the record-breaking medley relay that also featured senior Kate Johnson, senior Rachael Ballard and junior Julia Brownrigg. The ladies posted a time of 1:47.91, which edged the previous mark of 1:47.93 set in 2009 by Whitney Garner, senior Nicole Capozzi, Mandi Foltz and Theresa Simcic. 

Senior Kristen McCandless opened the day with an impressive swim in the 500-yard freestyle, posting a NCAA 'B' cut of 5:08.63 to qualify for the finals at night. She placed 14th in the finals with a time of 5:08.67.

Freshmen Tara Yohe and Jen Flinchbaugh also impressed in the 500 with swims that satisfied the PSAC qualifying standard. Yohe posted a time of 5:14.54 in the prelims and 5:13.23 in the 'C' final. Flinchbaugh touched the wall in 5:16.08 during prelims.

Flinchbaugh and Johnson also posted PSAC cuts in the 50-yard freestyle with times of 25.01 and 25.10, respectively.

Brownrigg and Ballard both met the PSAC qualifying standard for the 200-yard individual medley – posting respective times of 2:13.23 and 2:13.66 in the preliminaries. At night, competing in the 'C' final, Brownrigg posted a time of 2:12.86 while Ballard improved her time to 2:13.61.

During the night time finals sessions, the 400-yard medley relay of Brownrigg, Ballard, sophomore Sarah Hanson and Brown posted a time of 3:58.33. The 200-yard freestyle relay of senior Alyssa Boeggeman, Johnson, freshman Devon Perugini and freshman Elli Ahearn posted a time of 1:41.71.

Competition resumes Friday with 10 a.m. prelims. 

Prelims

500 Free
11. Kristen McCandless 5:08.63 (NCAA 'B')
19. Tara Yohe 5:14.54 (PSAC)
20. Jen Flinchbaugh 5:16.08 (PSAC)
30. Alayna Ryan 5:22.94
32. Colleen Stiles 5:26.36
35. Keeley Chenet 5:28.46
39. Katie Diltz 5:47.85

200 IM
18. Julia Brownrigg 2:13.23 (PSAC)
22. Rachael Ballard 2:13.66 (PSAC)
34. Jess Trgovic 2:17.18
36. Sarah Hanson 2:17.81

50 Free
2. Julie Brown 23.61 (NCAA 'B')
27. Jen Flinchbaugh 25.01 (PSAC)
30. Kate Johnson 25.10 (PSAC)
33. Alyssa Boeggeman 25.28
50. Devon Perugini 25.99
52. Elli Ahearn 26.21
55. Sara Small 26.71
56. Chelsey Michael 26.76
59. Liz Pflaum 27.51
60. Katie Diltz 27.67
62. Abbie Brumback 27.87

Finals

500 Free
14. Kristen McCandless 5:08.67 (NCAA 'B')
20. Tara Yohe 5:13.23 (PSAC)
24. Jen Flinchbaugh 5:20.80 (PSAC)

200 IM
19. Julia Brownrigg 2:12.86 (PSAC)
24. Rachael Ballard 2:13.61 (PSAC)

50 Free
3. Julie Brown 23.77 (NCAA 'B')