Four Trojans won individual races, including senior Henriette Stenkvist in the 500y free, and Troy set a pool record in the final 400y free relay, but the No. 7 Trojans fell just short in a 152-148 loss to No. 2 Stanford on Senior Day at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center on Saturday (Jan. 30).
The Trojans fell to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Pac-12 after their first conference loss of the season. Stanford, which didn’t clinch the meet until its second-place finish in the 400y free relay, remained unbeaten at 6-0, 6-0.
Before the meet, USC honored its 10 seniors, including co-captains Kendyl Stewart and Lucy Worrall, Kasia Wilk, Brianna Weinstein Stenkvist and Nikki Chang and divers Sam Adams, Natalie Kalibat, Jacqui Suitt and Katherine Van Winkle.
Stanford won the 200y medley relay to open action in 1:38.53 with USC’s A quartet of sophomore Hannah Weiss, freshman Riley Scott, Stewart and junior Anika Apostalon second in 1:39.66.
Freshmen Allie Wooden (9:47.35) and Elizabeth Stinson (9:56.19) finished 1-2 in the 1000y free for the second day in a row and Chang made it a sweep by taking third in 10:05.84. Wooden’s time was a personal-best.
Stanford junior Lia Neal claimed the 200y free in 1:45.87 with Trojan junior Chelsea Chenault second (1:47.85). Stenkvist was fourth (1:48.63).
Weiss captured the 100y back in 53.42 with Stanford’s Ally Howe second (53.86) and Stewart third (54.57).
Cardinal senior Sarah Haase won the 100y breast in 1:00.93 while Scott, a three-time winner last night against Cal, closed fast to take second in 1:01.28. Freshman Kirsten Vose was third (1:02.22).
The back and fourth action continued into the 200y fly as Stanford freshman Ella Eastin hit the wall first in 1:56.39 with Trojan freshman Madison Wright second (1:57.37). USC freshman Lily Dubroff squeaked into fourth at 2:01.46.
USC closed the first part of the meet with a huge 1-2 finish in the 50y free as Wilk won in 22.90 for her first NCAA ‘B’ cut in the race this year while Apostalon was second in 22.91.
The Cardinal’s Alexandra Clay won 3-meter with 315.45. Trojan freshman Madison Witt was second with 309.60 while Trojan Kalibat was third with a season-best and NCAA qualifying 297.08.
Following the diving break, Neal (48.36) edged Wilk (48.53) in the 100y free with Trojan distance stalwart Wooden powering into third in 49.96 in the sprint.
Stanford’s Janet Hu won the 200y back in 1:54.62 with Weiss second in 1:56.52 and Cardinal Howe third (1:57.67).
Cardinal’s Haase doubled up in the 200y breast, winning in 2:12.25, coming back over the final 50 to catch and pass USC’s Scott (2:12.34). Vose was third (2:15.00).
Stenkvist came through with a huge win in the 500y free, holding off a charging Eastin to win 4:47.13 to 4:47.28 and notch her first NCAA ‘B cut this year. Chenault was third in 4:49.25.
Hu claimed the 100y fly in 53.33, holding off Stewart (53.64), who turned in a season-best B cut. Stanford’s Lindsey Engel was third (53.77).
Stanford’s Clay (300.38) and Gracia Leydon-Mahoney (293.40) finished 1-2 in the 1-meter springboard while Adams led USC in third (279.38).
Eastin came through big for Stanford with a win in the 200y IM in 1:58.30. Vose (2:00.52) and Scott (2:01.35) finished 2-3.
USC closed the meet with a pool record in the 400y free relay as Apostalon, Wooden, Chenault and Wilk won in 3:17.69.
The Trojans finish the regular season at UCLA on Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.
