By Maria Roxanne Reyes '01, Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

For Head Coach Chad Cradock and his men's and women's swimming and diving teams, it doesn't get much better than this.

After dominating the ECAC and Northeast Conference (NEC) for the past several years, the UMBC men's and women's swimming and diving teams recently extended their dominance into their new home in the America East Conference, as the teams ended their seasons with a school-best 12-1 record on both sides.

To top it all off, the Retriever men, who previously claimed six consecutive ECAC titles, captured UMBC's first America East Conference crown, easily winning the league championship by amassing a meet record 901 points to second-place Binghamton's 574. The women, who won four NEC titles in the last five years, placed second overall with 606.5 points, behind first-place and five-time defending champion Northeastern (765).

Senior co-captain Brad Green, who took home five gold medals and two silvers, was named the Men's Most Outstanding Swimmer, while freshman Agnes Stanislawska, who won three individual gold medals of her own, was named the Women's Most Outstanding Swimmer. In addition, Chad Cradock and Assistant Coach Tom Himes were named the Men's Swimming Coaching Staff of the Year.

During the three-day meet, Green set new conference championship marks in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events, and anchored four relay teams. His time of 44.82 in the 100-yard free broke host Maine's pool record, as well as UMBC's 12-year school record, previously set at 45.11 from 1992.

Stanislawska, who captured first in the 200-yard free, also set records in 200-yard individual medley, and in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 52.37.

Other first place finishers for the UMBC women included senior Astrid Sperling in the 200-yard backstroke, senior co-captain Amanda Otis in the 1,650-yard freestyle and junior Lindsey Prather in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke.

For the men, the Retrievers' depth and talent dominated the league, as senior Carlos Canepa, who took gold in the 500-yard freestyle, also won the 1,650-yard freestyle with a time of 16:02.94. Freshmen Ryan Karrer (16:10.69) and Evan Swann (16:22.73) were second and third, respectively.

Other individual winners included junior Jakub Scroczynski in the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke, and senior Josh Farley in the 400-yard individual medley.

"It's great to have our teams be the one people fear," said Head Coach Chad Cradock. "When we come into meets, other teams look at us as the team to beat. It shows that we have gained the respect of the swimming world."

During his three years as head coach at UMBC, Cradock has posted an incredible 62-15 combined record, good for a .805 winning percentage.

This year, the women's only loss came at the hands of East Carolina, while the Retriever men's lone defeat came from a heartbreaking one point loss to state rival Navy. Entering the final event with a 117-109 lead, UMBC generated just four points in the 400 freestyle relay, while the Midshipmen claimed 13 points, and the Retrievers saw themselves on the short end of a 122-121 decision. "I'm upset about the loss to Navy, but that loss helped our men focus and be more competitive," said Cradock. "As we went into the rest of the season, that one loss pushed us to win others."

One point short of a perfect season, Cradock nonetheless is basking in the glow of his teams' accomplishments. "I am so proud to be working with such dedicated and loyal athletes," said Cradock. "It was great for both teams to set numerous records, as they definitely deserved every victory they got this year."

Click here to watch the an America East video feature on UMBC's move to the conference.