PITTSBURGH - Freeport's Brendan McGregor came into the WPIAL Class AA swimming championships with two titles to defend.

He's now hoping to go 1-for-2.

McGregor saw one of those titles slip away Thursday when he finished second in the 200 freestyle at 1 minute, 47.23 seconds to place behind St. Joseph's Andrew Zaydak at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Pool.

"There were a few things I could've done differently during the race, but I'm not going to make excuses," said McGregor. "I raced my race, he raced his, and he came out on top."

McGregor will try for a split when he puts his 100-backstroke title on the line today.

The Freeport girls, a team consisting of only five swimmers, faired very well.

The Yellowjackets' 200 medley relay team of Gail Erickson, Andrea McQueen, Kristen Bombalski and Lauren Palko finished tied for fourth place with the quartet from South Fayette High School in 1:55.51.

With only the top four places guaranteed a spot at the PIAA meet, a swim-off was held between the two squads and Freeport prevailed with a time of 1:54.42.

"It was unbelievable," said Freeport coach Gregg McQueen. "We came in seeded eighth. By the end of the (breaststroke leg), we had pulled even. Then, we took the lead for good."

Palko also will compete at the state meet individually after finishing third in the 50 freestyle (24.92).

Knoch's Joe Wagner got two for the price of one.

The senior swam the 100 butterfly in 55.14, breaking the school record.

The mark was also good for a fourth-place finish and a trip to the state championships.

Wagner then teamed with Brad Troutman, Mike McCoy and Doug Vogus to post a time of 1:36.79 in the 200 freestyle relay, breaking the school record and giving the group a 10th-place finish.

Junior Beth Legin, who broke another Knoch record in the 200 freestyle (2:01.90), led the Knights girls.

Mars will send its 200 freestyle boys relay team to the PIAA event. Dave Pierre, Jeff Gavin, Phil Armstrong and Dan Pierre finished in 1:34.81 for a fourth-place finish.

The Class AA swimming championships continue from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Trees Pool.