Swimcloud

Cal Sweeps Arizona

Paced by another outstanding performance from junior Josh Prenot, the Cal men’s swimming and diving team powered past host Arizona, 205-93, in a Saturday dual meet at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center in Tucson. The Golden Bears (5-0, 2-0), who have won 20-straight dual meets since the 2012-13 season, were led by Prenot’s victories in the 200 fly (1:47.65), the 200 breast (1:56.69) and the 400 IM (3:50.53).
 
On Friday, Prenot had won the 100 breast and 200 back at Arizona State. Sophomore standout Ryan Murphy was also a huge contributor in Saturday’s big win at Arizona, winning the 100 back (47.77) and the 100 free (43.98). Murphy is the defending NCAA champion in the 100 and 200 back. He also swam on Cal’s victorious 400 medley (3:13.36, Murphy, senior breaststroker Chuck Katis, senior butterflyer Will Hamilton, junior freestyler Tyler Messerschmidt) and 200 free relays (1:20.21, Messerschmidt, Murphy, freshman Justin Lynch, senior Fabio Gimondi).
 
Other victories for David Durden’s squad included senior Adam Hinshaw in the 1000 free (9:18.76),  junior Trent Williams in the 200 free (1:36.80), senior Katis in the 100 breast (53.84, over defending NCAA champion Kevin Cordes), junior Jacob Pebley in the 200 back (1:46.90), sophomore Long Gutierrez in the 500 free (4:27.89) and Lynch in the 100 fly (48.41). In all, Cal won 13 of the 14 men’s swimming events in a televised dual meet on the Pac-12 Networks.
 
In diving, the Bears’ best performance was freshman Finn Scribbick placing second on the three-meter board with a score of 338.70.
 
“Our guys responded a little better today (than Friday at ASU),” said Durden. “We had good contributions from all of our guys, from our seniors to our freshmen. I think everyone can take away a good point from this meet to carry over into our preparation for the next couple of weeks.”
 
The Bears will next be hosting Pac-12 foe USC in two weeks, Friday, Feb. 6, in a 1 p.m. dual meet at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

 

Embroiled in a tight dual meet with Arizona heading toward the finish, the No. 1 Cal women’s swimming & diving team came through over the final two events to pull out a 157-143 victory Saturday.

The Golden Bears trailed the 14th-ranked Wildcats by two points entering the next-to-last race – the 400-yard individual medley. But Elizabeth Pelton pulled away for a comfortable win in 4:19.97 and Kelly Naze claimed second place in 4:22.67 to give Cal a slight edge in the overall team standings.

Still needing to win the last event to clinch the meet, the foursome of Missy Franklin, Kaylin Bing, Rachel Bootsma and Osman won the 200 free relay in 1:31.03, leading to the final margin. All four Bears had splits under 23 seconds, including a 22.39 by Osman to close out the race.

“I thought Farida did an exceptional job racing,” head coach Teri McKeever said. “The 100 flyers and sprint freestylers were a big key for us today. Missy came through with two victories and Elizabeth did a nice job in some tough events. We have a few holes, but our depth showed well. Kelly Naze getting second in the IM and the 100 back was a good example.”

In addition to anchoring the relay, Osman captured the 50 free (22.89) and 100 fly (53.83) to pace a trio of double winners for the Bears. Franklin took the 100 and 200 free (49.47, 1:46.62), and Pelton added a victory in the 100 back (55.02) to her 400 IM title.

Cal, which defeated Arizona State, 197.5-102.5 Friday afternoon, found itself in a much tougher battle Saturday. Arizona opened with a triumph in the 400 medley relay and remained in front through much of the day until Cal made its final charge.

“I actually felt really good today,” Franklin said during the broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks. “We got hit pretty hard this week (in practice), so we knew we were going to have to come in and do the best we can with what we have in the tank right now. It’s been great to see what we’re capable of.”

Sophomore Celina Li was held out of meet for violating team rules, McKeever said.

The Bears return home to Spieker Aquatics Complex Friday, Jan. 30 for a 2 p.m. dual with USC that will also be televised on the Pac-12 Networks. Cal also hosts UCLA on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 12 noon and Stanford on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 11 a.m.

 

Arizona’s 14th-ranked women’s swimming and diving team took 1st-ranked Cal to the final relay, ultimately falling 143–157 on Saturday at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center. The 14th-ranked men’s team dropped their dual meet to the 3rd-ranked Bears 93–205.

The women got off to a good start for the day as Tjasa Oder won the 1,000 free with a time of 9:53.28. In the next women’s event, the team of Bonnie Brandon, Emma Schoettmer, Elizabeth Pepper and Taylor Schick took first in the 400 medley relay in 3:38.05. Brandon then took second in the 200 free (1:48.05) finishing behind childhood friend and California’s Missy Franklin (1:46.62).

Arizona earned significant points from both the 100 and 200 breast. Schoettmer took first in the 100 breast with 1:01.50 followed by teammates Lauren Stoeckle (1:02.52) and Sara Borendame (1:02.70). In the 200 breast, Schoettmer also took first (2:13.52) again followed by Stoeckle (2:15.34) and Borendame (2:15.78).

Pepper took first in the 200 fly with a time of 2:00.17 and Brandon won two individual events. In the 200 back, she finished first in 1:55.77 and later won the 500 free with 4:47.07.

For diving, Samantha Pickens placed first in the 1-meter with a score of 320.03 while Michal Bower took third with 248.55. The Wildcats went 1-2-3 in the 3-meter with Pickens taking first (312.60) followed by Sally Hackett (294.75) and Bower (277.20).

On the men’s side, Brad Tandy finished first in the 50 free with a time of 19.95. Kevin Cordes took second in the 100 breast (54.07) followed by teammate Andrew Sovero (55.54). For diving, Rafael Quintero won the 1-meter with a score of 353.70 while Carter Craft took second with 288.75. Quintero also placed first in the 3-meter with 415.88.

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