WEST CHESTER, PA - Six times freshman swimmer Matt Matys (Boothwyn/Chichester) was called to the podium to accept a first-place award.

Each of those times the West Chester University men’s swimming team accrued valuable team points which ultimately culminated in the 1999 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship.

The Golden Rams claimed their first PSAC title since 1970 by edging Clarion University 413.50-394.50 in the three-day event that concluded on February 20.

West Chester University hosted the PSAC Championships in Graham Natatorium for the fifth time this decade. WCU now owns 12 PSAC Championships overall, but the first 11 occurred from 1959-70.

"I am out of adrenaline," drained WCU head coach Jamie Rudisill stated after the exhausting three-day meet that saw his first PSAC Championship. "I am spent. I am so happy for the guys. They seized the opportunity."

The Golden Rams "seized" the opportunity by winning the crown without a full complement of entries. Teams were allowed to submit up to 18 athletes for the Championships, but the Golden Rams registered 13 for what will go down is WCU lore as the "Dirty Baker’s Dozen."

Matys claimed a PSAC Championship in six different events over the three days. He won the 200-yard backstroke (1:52.59), the 200 IM (1:54.34) and the 100 back (52.23), and he was part of three relay teams which finished first.

For his efforts, he was named the PSAC Male Swimmer of the Week on February 23 for the third time this year.

Matys then teamed up with seniors Dan Markle (West Chester/Henderson) and Sebastien Verstraet (France), and freshman Todd Albert (Pottstown/O.J. Roberts) to steal the 200 free relay in a time of 1:25.18.

Matys, Markle, Verstraet and sophomore Brian Birnbrauer (Lansdale/Lansdale Catholic) combined to win the 800 free relay (6:58.74), while the 200 medley relay (1:36.04) team of Matys, sophomore Grant Clark (Malvern/Home Schooled), Albert and Verstraet finished second. Verstraet also took sixth in the 200 free (1:53.44).

Like Matys, Clark was a three-time solo winner for the Golden Rams as well. He captured the 200 breast (2:06.46), 400 IM (4:07.38) and 100 breast (57.97) events. He then joined the 400 medley relay squad of Matys, Albert and Markle to finish first (3:27.05). Albert, meanwhile, earned a PSAC Championship in the 50 free by winning the event in 21:38.

The Golden Rams did claim a victory in the 400 free relay without Matys. Birnbrauer, Markel, Verstraet and Albert recorded a time of 3:07.22 to finish first.

In addition to his solo victory, Albert was also second in the 100 fly (51.12) and third in the 200 fly (1:57.48). Birnbrauer tied for fourth in the 50 free (21.82), placed second in the 200 free (1:45.55) and was third in the 100 free (47.44).

Markle also turned in key solo performances for the Golden Rams, winding up third in the men’s 200 free (1:46.13) and fourth in the 100 free (47.51).

Other Golden Rams recording solid finishes included sophomore Scott Hayes (Lock Haven/Jersey Shore), who was fifth in the 400 IM (4:19.18), and junior Brett LaValley (York/Dallastown), who took fourth in the 100 breast (59.70).

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