Senior Will Hamilton topped defending champion Ryan Murphy to earn the “King of the Pool” title Friday during the Golden Bears’ season-opening exhibition pentathlon swim meet at Cal Poly's Anderson Aquatic Center in San Luis Obispo.
Hamilton, from Franklin, Mich., topped sophomore standout Murphy by combining the day's overall fastest times in the 100 fly, 100 back, 100 breast, 100 free and 100 individual medley. The Cal veteran, who was the 2012 NCAA champion in the 200 fly, had the lowest aggregate time of 4:07.25 at the meet, edging Murphy’s overall mark of 4:08.62, and junior Josh Prenot’s time of 4:10.76.
Hamilton captured the "King of the Pool" honor by placing first in the 100 fly (48.35) and 100 IM (49.15). He also had the third fastest time in the 100 back (49.28), the third fastest time in the 100 breast (55.45) and the fourth fastest time in the 100 free (45.02).
Other individual event winners for the Bears included Murphy in the 100 back (47.50) and 100 free (44.20), and senior Chuck Katis in the 100 breast (54.04).
On Saturday, the Cal men will team up with the Cal women for co-ed races in the 200-yard medley relay and 200 freestyle relay, beginning at 9 a.m.
The Bears will again vie for an NCAA crown in 2015 after winning national championships in 2011, 2012 and 2014 under head coach David Durden. Besides Hamilton and Murphy, Cal returns NCAA relay champions Seth Stubblefield, Tyler Messerschmidt, and breaststroker Katis, among several others who have shined during Pac-12 and NCAA championship competition, and a stellar 2014 freshman class.
