BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Marist Swimming & Diving program will take to the pool at Erie Community College's Burt Flickinger Athletic Center beginning on Thursday, Feb. 16 when the 2012 MAAC Championships kick off. Both the men's and women's squads will be in search of their 13th individual team titles.

Last season, the women's squad caught up with the men as they captured title number 12 with a decisive 277 point victory over Rider, a margin that ranks second largest in MAAC Championship history. At the conclusion of the 2011 meet, distance freestylist Kate Conard (East Setauket, N.Y.) was named the MAAC Most Outstanding Female Swimming Performer in recognition of her three individual titles, the 500-, 1000- and 1650-yd freestyle, all of which she won in conference record times. She was joined by Head Coach Larry VanWagner, who was named MAAC Women's Swimming Coach of the Year.

The men also put forth a strong effort at last year's championships as the battled with Rider throughout the third day of competition for second position. Unfortunately for the men, the Broncs pulled away late for a slim 30.5 point margin. Nick Spinella (Franklin Square, N.Y.) earned the conference title in the 200-yd backstroke event.

The program comes into Buffalo after a record breaking regular season in which the women won a program-best 11 dual meets and Jason Ruddy (Lake Katrine, N.Y.) re-wrote the 200-yd butterfly record book. On a conference-level, Red Foxes earned 15 MAAC Swimmer and Diver of the Week honors.

The Marist Athletic Department will have live coverage of the entire MAAC Championships with live chats scheduled for all six sessions of the meet.

Chat schedule is as follows ...

Thursday, Feb. 16: Session 1, Prelims - 9:45 a.m.   Session 2, Finals - 5:45 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 17: Session 3, Prelims - 9:45 a.m.   Session 4, Finals - 5:45 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18: Session 5, Prelims - 9:45 a.m.   Session 6, Finals - 5:45 p.m.