Ok, basketball season is over. Time to focus on swimming. Hope none of our swimmers break their hands or have back spasms right before their swims today. #justalittlebitter
UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842667150 said:
Hey don't you forget 'bout those neck injuries either lol ...or those stress fractures (tho to be fair, Amy had that happened to her a few months before coming here)
Schroeder71;842668276 said:
How did she injure her neck?
[COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Specifics on how Katie had sustained her injury have never been revealed via official channels or even discussed on social media, AFAIK.
An awful lot of (envious?) ":bear:s haters" have sadly been quick to judge/speculate on Swimswam...here's an example of a typical scathing attack on Teri [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] :headbang
[COLOR="#696969"]Swimmerjammer: "Mckeever Is directly responsible for the neck fracture in that no swimmer should be forced to do a cartwheel drill into the ocean in a rocky area"[/COLOR]
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[SIZE=4][COLOR="#DAA520"]Katie McLaughlin To Continue Neck Rehab At Home For Spring Semester[/COLOR][/SIZE]
Disturbing, but interesting contrast between disappointing championship performances by two teams (m hoops, w swimming) from the same school on different boards on the same website.
Teri's Bears were defending NCAA champs, had three top rated recruiting classes, and were concensus favorites to repeat at the beginning of the season. Bumpy season, fair amount of adversity, and season ended short of expectations. Posters are bummed, but most understand what happened, and Teri's built up a ton of goodwill and credibility. Four NCAA titles and eight consecutive seasons finishing third or higher helps.
Cuonzo's Bears came off a crappy season, but had two top five freshmen, and were picked as a top fifteen team at the beginning of the season. Bumpy season, fair amount of adversity, and season ended short of expectations. Several hoops posters have lost their **** and are lashing out at everyone and everything.
Teri's a far more experienced and accomplished coach than Cuonzo and her team had more depth and talent than his. Losing Ty is equivalent to losing McL and Bird going down was equivalent to Mau's lost season.
Teri's team was picked third in the final poll and Cuonzo's team was seeded 14th out of 68. Thought that Teri's team had a decent shot of winning, but didn't pick the Bears to get past Maryland.
Am completely disgusted by SwimSwam hate toward Teri and Cal, but it's backhanded validation. Nobody cares about 0 for ACC football and hoops BC. Teri's not a perfect coach, but people don't lash out at irrelevant coaches, programs, and schools either.
Am way more disturbed by some of the hoops reactions on our own board. Cuonzo's a work in progress (aren't we all?) and he's demonstrated some early success and has a ton of potential. Single elimination formats are brutal and there's no mystery why it's called March Madness. Any Michigan State fans who are bagging on Izzo are morons. Did peek at the LSJU and Tennessee boards and there were more than a few shots at Cuonzo and Cal. That's way better than being fragged by your own alleged fan base. More fun to be the hunter, but the hunted is the preferred destination even though it always comes with a ton of nasty bile.
Always feel bad for swimmers who burn out (Batchelor, Roth, Tosky, Schaeffer), but was also sad to hear UVa's Bartholomew retire even before Olympic Trials. Defending NCAA champ. Boots won three times and even she said she's done after this Summer.
Painfully aware of the pressure on Teri and her team to chase another elusive NCAA title, but at least the times they come up short aren't magnified. They're still students at the best university on the planet and represent our beloved University extremely well. Same thing applies to Cuonzo's team too, but they get way more scrutiny and far less latitude. Wouldn't follow and appreciate either team if I hadn't cherished being a Cal student, but have to keep things in perspective.
Bumpy season, fair amount of adversity, and season ended short of expectations. Posters are bummed, but most understand what happened, and Teri's built up a ton of goodwill and credibility. Four NCAA titles and eight consecutive seasons finishing third or higher helps.
Painfully aware of the pressure on Teri and her team to chase another elusive NCAA title, but at least the times they come up short aren't magnified. They're still students at the best university on the planet and represent our beloved University extremely well. Same thing applies to Cuonzo's team too, but they get way more scrutiny and far less latitude. Wouldn't follow and appreciate either team if I hadn't cherished being a Cal student, but have to keep things in perspective.
[COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Thanks for that, BD...couldn't have said it any better! :gobears:
Also +1 to the other comments below (culled from the NCAA thread): [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
Microbear85;842668476 said:
Congratulations to the Bears for fighting through so much adversity. I'm bummed that Pelton finished her Cal career on a bit of a down note, after reaching such heights earlier in her career. All things considered, it was a fine season. The team represented the university with class. Great job!
longseeker;842668187 said:
Still so proud of our Lady Bears despite some unfortunate setbacks in losing McL and Cierra.
icecream12345;842668274 said:
Indeed, the bears have put up a valiant effort.
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Liz Pelton - 20 Mar 2016
Proud of the Bears and this season! Last NCAAs in the books #gobears #NCAASwimDive
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[video=youtube;8NsQsN9yB10][/video]
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Ann Caslin - 22 Mar 2016
Cal Women's Swimming & Diving has now placed in the top 3 nationally for 8 consecutive years; the top 5 for 11 consecutive years; the top 10 for 19 consecutive years. They have claimed 4 team National Championship titles in the past 8 years. Consistency at its finest! I am honored, humbled and proud to be a part of this incredible program! #CommitmentToExcellence #GoBears
----- [COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] Bloody heck, hadn't previously realised that Bootsie was that sick!!! Major props & even more massive respect for Bootsma's really gutty [U]100 back[/U] win knowing that now!!! :acclaim: :bravo :acclaim: [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] -----
Boots - 16 Mar 2016
I never thought I would EVER be on an 800 Free Relay. Proud of these girls #UAW #gobears #lolatourfaces
If you would have told me that this is how my last college meet would go, I wouldn't have believed you. The night before this race I was in the ER until 1 AM not knowing if I was even going to get to race the next day. I gave it everything I had and swam this 100 Back for my Cal Golden Bears. So honored to be a part of this special team and thank you for giving me memories to last a life time #UAW #allin #gobears
[COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] Er, Katie McL defecting to [U]LSJU[/U]???!!! :buttkick: [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] -----
Ella Eastin - 29 March 2016 @ United States Olympic Training Center/Colorado Springs, CO
I loooove my friends
----- [COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] Er no need to panic quite yet lol, as I also spot Ivy Martin in the above photo! :p
For additional reassurance haha, here's a tweet from Amy just last night:
Anyway, think it was Ella's birthday yesterday, and the furdettes have been hard at it training at altitude @ the OTC since last week. Prob. a good sign actually to see Katie up there as would be an indication that she's well on the road to recovery from her neck injury, and can get down to some serious prep for Olympic trials coming up in a few months' time... [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
Still unclear on McL's 2017 eligibility. 2016 is an Olympic year so swimmers at schools on the quarter system can skip third quarter with no academic progress penalties for themselves or their school. Unless McL finishes her classes online or makes them up during Summer, don't see how she can compete for the Bears in Fall 2016.
[SIZE=5][COLOR="#8B4513"]SwimSwam's Way-too-early Preview of the 2017 Women's NCAA Championship[/COLOR][/SIZE]
1. Stanford is loaded next year
The Cardinal fell short last month, but are graduating just 45 points and three relay swims (primarily from All-American breaststroker Sarah Haase), and adding arguably the two most valuable swimmers in the NCAA in Simone Manuel and Katie Ledecky. Throw in versatile freshmen Katie Drabot and Allie Szekely, and Stanford is undoubtedly the early favorite. A wrench could be thrown in the Cardinal's plans, however, should Manuel or Ledecky choose to go pro (unlikely, but it's worth calling out), or none of their breaststrokers develop
3. The Pac-12's top four is the country's best
We covered Stanford above, and Cal isn't going anywhere anytime soon (especially with incoming redshirt Abbey Weitzeil, and the potential return of Katie McLaughlin), but we can't overlook USC and Arizona, who both look like they're going to have bright futures. The Trojans should contend for a top three finish next season; they graduate just 7 individual points, and are bringing in two of the nation's top five recruits in Stanzi Moseley and Becca Mann. Arizona finished twelfth this season with an incredibly young team, graduates just two individual points, and is bringing in a solid class, as well.
Interesting hire. Teri needs a middle distance to distance or a breast specialist as an asst. Bears are far from hurting in recruiting, but an energetic recruiter would help too. Expect Mulzet to be replaced too.
Interesting hire. Teri needs a middle distance to distance or a breast specialist as an asst. Bears are far from hurting in recruiting, but an energetic recruiter would help too. Expect Mulzet to be replaced too.
I looked at the breaststrokers at Marshall and no spectacular times though don't know if they showed big improvements from year to year. Replacing Mulzet should be a top priority by both of Cal's swimming coaches.
I looked at the breaststrokers at Marshall and no spectacular times though don't know if they showed big improvements from year to year. Replacing Mulzet should be a top priority by both of Cal's swimming coaches.
Walsh was a breaststroker in college. Plus, I wonder if he has a similar DISC personality profile to Whitney Hite, the Cal assistant before Kristen Cunnane (and now head coach at Wisconsin). I remember reading in Natalie Coughlin's book "Golden Girl" that Teri McKeever is strong in the S (steadiness) and C (compliance) elements, and Hite is strong in I (influence) and presumably D (dominance; not specifically mentioned but seems plausible given the other stories mentioned in the book) elements. Since Kathie Wickstrand is still heavily involved with the program, I'm sure all of the candidates were given the personality test. Walsh is described as "enthusiastic"; only question is whether he is too young.
I think we should hire the best coach possible, but I'm a little surprised with all the sexual harassment issues going on around campus that we didn't hire a female coach.
I think we should hire the best coach possible, but I'm a little surprised with all the sexual harassment issues going on around campus that we didn't hire a female coach.
Well do you know the new coach sexual preference :rollinglaugh:?
[COLOR="#000066"][SIZE=5]Acker Leads 12 Bears On Pac-12 All-Academic Team[/SIZE]
[COLOR="#DAA520"][SIZE=4]Golden Bear Swimmers And Divers Honored For Work In The Classroom[/SIZE][/COLOR]
[SIZE=3][COLOR="#808080"]By Cal Athletics on Tue, April 19, 2016[/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR]
BERKELEY Twelve members of Cal's women's swimming & diving team, led by first-team selection and Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Rachael Acker, have been named to the Pac-12 All-Academic team.
Acker, a senior who sports at 3.96 GPA as a French major on a premed track, is a member of the conference's first unit for the third year in a row. She is also a two-time Academic All-American (with the 2016 team to be announced later this spring) and a multi-time Scholar All-American as determined by the swim coaches association.
Three Golden Bears are on the Pac-12 second team: senior Kelly Naze, sophomore Noemie Thomas and junior Kristen Vredeveld. Naze, with a 3.56 GPA in American studies, and Vredeveld, with a 3.62 GPA in history, were both second-team selections last year. Thomas, who qualified for the Canadian Olympic team in the 100-meter butterfly last week, owns a 3.56 GPA as an undeclared major.
Earning all-academic honorable mention this year are: Rachel Bootsma, Sara Lina Boushakra, Anne Kastler, Catherine Ladd, Celina Li, Farida Osman, Elizabeth Pelton and Maija Roses. Bootsma, Li and Pelton are all repeaters on the academic squad.
To be eligible for selection to the academic team, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and appear in at least 50 percent of their team's competitions.
As a team, Cal finished third at the NCAA Championships to extend its streak of placing in the top three to eight consecutive years the longest current run in the nation. Bootsma won her third NCAA 100-yard backstroke title in the past four years, while Osman and Vredeveld were part of Cal's winning 200-yard freestyle relay.
Another day, another Senior photo! #GoBears #CalWomensSwimmingAndDiving #HonorarySenior
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Marina - 24 Apr @ California Memorial Stadium
kiping it rolling to another year with my bears
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Melanie - 24 Apr @ California Memorial Stadium
When you're 5'10" thinking you're all tall and stuff, and then Val walks in.
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Maija - 24 Apr @ California Memorial Stadium
Only one of us could ride the big kid roller coaster
Hint: it's not me -----
Amy - 24 Apr
If you're having a rough day this should put a smile on your face that height tho
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Val - 6 May
part 2 of are we the same species? @maija8roses
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Amy - 19 May
I'd really appreciate if you'd come back now #1106
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Amy - 12 May
Still don't know how we did it but... We made it #Priestly303 #CutIt
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Amy - 24 Apr
"So where do you get your height?"
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Boots - 24 Apr @ California Memorial Stadium
And just like that, my last swimming banquet is over. Thanks to these two for being my number 1 supporters even on my worst a days (plus @katiebootsma ) Also thanks to the Bay for being incredibly beautiful today! #gobears
Also entered in the meet: Cal’s Tom Shields (Edison), the Nadadores’ Stephanie Peacock and Ous Mellouli (Tunisia Olympian), Canyons Aquatic’s Abbey Weitzeil (Saugus), Olympian Haley Anderson and a strong group from USC. Santa Margarita's Grant Shoults leads O.C. high school standouts in the meet.
BearBackerinLA;842682477 said:
McLaughlin's comeback continues this weekend at SMOC ...
Also entered in the meet: Cal’s Tom Shields (Edison), the Nadadores’ Stephanie Peacock and Ous Mellouli (Tunisia Olympian), Canyons Aquatic’s Abbey Weitzeil (Saugus), Olympian Haley Anderson and a strong group from USC. Santa Margarita's Grant Shoults leads O.C. high school standouts in the meet.
[COLOR="#DAA520"][SIZE=5]Weitzeil’s 54.1 In 100 Free Leads Day 2 of Fran Crippen SMOC[/SIZE][/COLOR]
----- [COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] [U]Note[/U]: Looks like on the women's side that current team members Katie, Amy, Celina, KV & Madi raced today, alongside incoming recruits Abbey, Keaton, Aislinn & Courtney... [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] RESULTS: http://www.socalswim.org/live-results/2016SMOC/
[COLOR="#800080"][SIZE=3]Women's [U]200 Freestyle[/U] A Final [/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] Katie1st (encouraging performance in her comeback/recovery, exhibiting strong back end speed as is her forte), Celina6th
Trojan Kirsten Vose (former Cal breast/IM recruit) 2nd - showing her recent development in freestyle as was seen @ this year's Pac-12s & NCAAs... [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] [video=youtube;7XB4aD57eNc][/video]
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[COLOR="#8B4513"][SIZE=3]Women's [U]200 Freestyle[/U] B Final [/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] Keaton1st - led the whole race from lane 4 [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
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[COLOR="#0099cc"][SIZE=3]Women's [U]50 Freestyle[/U] A Final [/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] Abbey1st, Amy4th, Katie7th [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
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[COLOR="#B22222"][SIZE=3]Women's [U]50 Freestyle[/U] B Final [/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] KV4th
Eva Merrell (2018 fly prospect) was 2nd, demonstrating her versatility here after a 2nd placing yesterday in the [U]200 Back[/U] A final (where Amy = 1st, Keaton = 3rd, Courtney = 4th!), and 3rd in the [U]100 free[/U] A final (which Abbey won handily) [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
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[COLOR="#008000"][SIZE=3]Women's [U]50 Freestyle[/U] C Final [/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR="#006699"][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] Keaton4th [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
[COLOR="#336699"][SIZE=5]Tom Shields Tops 100 Fly at Fran Crippen Swim Meet of Champions Final Day[/SIZE][/COLOR]
Kendyl Stewart topped the women's [U]100 fly[/U] in 58.84. Eva Merrell touched in 59.79, while Katie McLaughlin earned third in 59.94.
Tom Shields posted a meet record, world's 17th fastest time of 52.15 to win the men's [U]100 fly[/U]. Justin Lynch earned second in 52.42. Yoessef Tibazi rounded out the podium in 53.92. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Dillon Williams 1st in 56.40, C final)[/COLOR]
Amy Bilquist stopped the clock in 1:01.15 to win the women's [U]100 backstroke[/U]. Kendyl Stewart and Eva Merrell also posted Trials cuts to finish second and third in 1:02.51 and 1:02.91. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Aislinn 5th in 1:04.04, A Final ... Katie's time would have been good for 2nd, B final, if it wasn't for the DQ)[/COLOR]
Nick Norman's 8:10.28 won the men's [U]800 freestyle[/U]. Jerad Kaskawal out touched Pawel Furtek 8:15.90 to 8:16.07 for second and third.
Kirsten Vose won the [U]100 breaststroke[/U] by just over a second, stopping the clock at 1:10.31. Madeleine Vonderhaar posted a 1:11.36, not far ahead of Ali Harrison's 1:11.67 that earned third. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Keaton 5th in 1:12.29, A final)[/COLOR]
In 1:02.30 Azad Al-barazi won the men's [U]100 breaststroke[/U]. Jimmy Deiparine touched in 1:03.41, just ahead of Chuck Katis who finished third. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Connor Hoppe 4th in 1:03.88, Hunter Cobleigh 7th in 1:04.43, A final ... Zach Stevens 1st in 1:05.86, Scott Haeberle 3rd in 1:06.92, Nick Silverthorn 7th in 1:07.66, C final)[/COLOR]
Riley Scott led a trio of 2:17s in the women's [U]200 [/U]IM. The 18 year old touched in 2:17.03. Celina Li finished second in 2:17.19 and Kate Krolikowski earned third with a 2:17.64. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Courtney 8th in 2:20.90, A final ... tho they skipped finals, Keaton's 2:18.34 from prelims would have been good for 4th in tonight's A final, Amy's 2:19.60 for 5th!)[/COLOR]
In the men's [U]200 IM[/U], Rafa Alfaro finished in 2:05.61. Ken Takahashi touched second with a 2:06.03 and third place went to Young Tae Seo in 2:07.90.
[COLOR="#336699"][SIZE=5]Tom Shields Tops 100 Fly at Fran Crippen Swim Meet of Champions Final Day[/SIZE][/COLOR]
Kendyl Stewart topped the women’s [U]100 fly[/U] in 58.84. Eva Merrell touched in 59.79, while Katie McLaughlin earned third in 59.94.
Tom Shields posted a meet record, world’s 17th fastest time of 52.15 to win the men’s [U]100 fly[/U]. Justin Lynch earned second in 52.42. Yoessef Tibazi rounded out the podium in 53.92. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Dillon Williams 1st in 56.40, C final)[/COLOR]
Amy Bilquist stopped the clock in 1:01.15 to win the women’s [U]100 backstroke[/U]. Kendyl Stewart and Eva Merrell also posted Trials cuts to finish second and third in 1:02.51 and 1:02.91. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Aislinn 5th in 1:04.04, A Final ... Katie's time would have been good for 2nd, B final, if it wasn't for the DQ)[/COLOR]
Nick Norman‘s 8:10.28 won the men’s [U]800 freestyle[/U]. Jerad Kaskawal out touched Pawel Furtek 8:15.90 to 8:16.07 for second and third.
Kirsten Vose won the [U]100 breaststroke[/U] by just over a second, stopping the clock at 1:10.31. Madeleine Vonderhaar posted a 1:11.36, not far ahead of Ali Harrison‘s 1:11.67 that earned third. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Keaton 5th in 1:12.29, A final)[/COLOR]
In 1:02.30 Azad Al-barazi won the men’s [U]100 breaststroke[/U]. Jimmy Deiparine touched in 1:03.41, just ahead of Chuck Katis who finished third. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Connor Hoppe 4th in 1:03.88, Hunter Cobleigh 7th in 1:04.43, A final ... Zach Stevens 1st in 1:05.86, Scott Haeberle 3rd in 1:06.92, Nick Silverthorn 7th in 1:07.66, C final)[/COLOR]
Riley Scott led a trio of 2:17s in the women’s [U]200 [/U]IM. The 18 year old touched in 2:17.03. Celina Li finished second in 2:17.19 and Kate Krolikowski earned third with a 2:17.64. [COLOR="#006699"]([U]Note[/U]: Courtney 8th in 2:20.90, A final ... tho they skipped finals, Keaton's 2:18.34 from prelims would have been good for 4th in tonight's A final, Amy's 2:19.60 for 5th!)[/COLOR]
In the men’s [U]200 IM[/U], Rafa Alfaro finished in 2:05.61. Ken Takahashi touched second with a 2:06.03 and third place went to Young Tae Seo in 2:07.90.
Who is in a class all by herself: Abbey Weitzeil with victories in the 50 free and 100 free which were not even close!
Current Cal Bear that impressed the most: Amy Bilquist with victories in the 100 back and 200 back. She also finished 4th in the 50 Free and 6th in the 100 Free.
Thank god she is getting healthy again: Katie McLaughlin with a victory in the 200 free, 3rd in the 100 fly and 3rd in the 200 fly.
The one that got away: Kristen Vose with victory in the 100 Breast, 2nd in the 100 free, and 2nd in the 200 free.
The future Cal frosh who looked good: Keaton Blovad, 3rd in the 200 back, 5th in the 100 Breast, and had the top time in the 200 IM prelims, but didn't compete in the finals.
The future Cal recruit who looked good: Eva Merrell, 3rd in the 100 free, 2nd in the 200 back, 2nd in the 100 fly, and 3rd in the 100 back.
The future Cal recruit that I was expecting a little more from: Nikol Popov, 7th in the 200 breast, 6th in the 100 breast, 8th in the 400 IM, and did not place in the 200 IM. Illness maybe?
[COLOR="#006699"]Thanks for your notes, tedbear & BearBackerinLA!
Massive congrats to Katie for winning the female high-point award on her road to recovery! :acclaim:
The meet even attracted a spot of attention from mainstream media: [/COLOR] -------------
[COLOR="#A52A2A"][SIZE=4]Tom Shields wins 100 butterfly at Swim Meet of Champions[/SIZE][/COLOR]
[U][COLOR="#696969"]Associated Press[/COLOR][/U]
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. -- Tom Shields won the 100 meter butterfly Sunday on the last night of the Fran Crippen Memorial Swim Meet of Champions.
Shields, a member of the national team, touched first in 52.15 seconds in the tune-up meet for the U.S. Olympic trials in June.
Kendyl Stewart, another national team member, won the women's 100 fly in 58.84. National team member Katie McLaughlin, who won the 200 freestyle Friday, finished third. Stewart later finished second behind national team member Amy Bilquist in the 100 backstroke. Bilquist won in 1 minute, 1.15 seconds, and Stewart touched in 1:02.51.
Riley Scott, who won the 200 breaststroke on Friday, added the 200 individual medley in 2:17.03.
Other winners were Kirsten Vose in the 100 breast, Erica Sullivan in the 1500 free, Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago in the 100 back, Azad Al-barazi of Syria in the 100 breast, Nick Norman in the 800 free and Rafa Alfaro of El Salvador in the 200 IM.
[COLOR="#000066"][SIZE=5]Meet the 2016 University Medalist runners-up[/SIZE][/COLOR]
Name: [U]Rachael Acker[/U] Hometown: Palo Alto Major: French (and pre-med)
Biggest lesson learned: I have learned how to find and pursue the things that I am passionate about. I have also learned to appreciate all of the diversity that is here at Cal, and come to appreciate that everyone here has their own unique set of talents and interests. Maybe most importantly, I have learned that there are so many people who want to help and support each of us; it's just about being willing to ask for help and looking for it in the right places.
Greatest inspiration: One of the people who inspires me most is my swim coach, Teri McKeever. From day one, she has shown me that my success in college is not only determined by my athletic and academic achievements, but also my growth as a person. She has broken many boundaries as a female in the sport of swimming, and specifically coaching at the collegiate and Olympic levels. She empowers and inspires everyone on my team to not be afraid of being strong and confident women. I wouldn't be where I am today without her support and the example she continues to set for all of us.
What's next: I will be applying to medical school in June 2016. I also just received a Fulbright independent research grant to pursue a research project in biology at the University of Rennes in France next year.