Cal Alum Adrian Pulls Off a Stunner

Former California Golden Bear Nathan Adrian turned in the most memorable moment of Wednesday's action in London with an upset win over world leader James Magnussen of Australia. Adrian trailed practically the entire race until the final wall where his large frame outstretched that of Magnussen by the slimmest of margins, 47.53 to 47.53. Adrian was the only current or former NCAA swimmer to grab one of the nine individual medals available fo rthe taking on Wednesday.

The U.S. 800 freestyle relay team of Missy Franklin, Cal alum Dana Vollmer and the current Georgia combo of Shannon Vreeland and Allison Schmitt stormed to an Olymmpic record time of 7:42.92. Schmitt surged past silver medalist Australia (7:44.41) on the anchor leg to give herself a fourth medal and second gold in London. France grabbed the bronze in 7:47.49. Former Hawai'i swimmer Melanie Schlanger, along with Frankllin and Schmitt, earned her second relay medal of the Games in getting silver on Team Australia. Former Indiana swimmer Margaux Farrell claimed bronze after swimming prelims for the French team. 

Of note, USC alum Rebecca Soni set a world record of 2:20.00 in the semifinals of the 200 breaststroke. The defending Olympic champion is a prohibitive favorite to defend her title on Thursday.

The United States may not have won an Olympic diving medal in 12 years until this week but they are more than making up for it in London. Former Texas Longhorn Troy Dumais, competing in his fourth Olympics, finally earned a coveted medal after teaming with Stanford freshman Kristian Ipsen in the three-meter syncho event. China stayed perfect in diving, beating Russia 477 to 459.63. The Americans earned their third syncho medal in four tries with a score of 446.70.