Pasting UAC's insight here, too, regarding likely and hopeful qualifiers:

Quote:

---

Cal presently is looking likely to send at least 9 invitees to 2020 NCAAs (see bearz012's list above).

For reference, after their ACC/SEC/B1G conference results last week, it appears that UVa will be boasting the largest contingent of projected NCAA swim qualifiers to race at Nationals (up to 17!), followed by Tenn & Indiana @ 13, with NC State, Georgia, Florida @ 12, and Ohio St, Louisville, Texas A&M @ 11.

Last year, the Trees swamped NCAAs with 16 swimmers + 4 divers (2 swimmers left behind due to roster limits), whilst Bears sported a much more modest contingent of 12 swimmers + 1 diver.

I would venture (fingers crossed ) that 2 more swimmers in the blue & gold will join their sisters for the main event in March - Maddie & Ali, both of whom respond very well to a spot of taper.

• Maddie
• 50 Free - 22.52 (#75) ... PB = 21.76
• 100 Fly - 53.48 (#99) ... PB = 51.15
• 100 Free - 49.56 (#128) ... PB = 48.22

Madds racing fast & qualifying is vital for the team - 200 Free Relay where we are defending champions (American, NCAA, US Open & Pool record @ 2019 NCAAs) - will be a challenge w/o Murphy's contribution here, even with the AR holder Abbey on anchor...provides Teri with an option to use Izzy on back instead of fly on the medley relay(s)...shore up Cal's wobbly sprint fly depth this year, etc. I am confident Maddie will come through as early as tomorrow (50 Free).

• Ali
• 100 Breast - 1:00.30 (#45) ... PB = 59.52 (best chance of qualifying here - Harrison had dropped a 59.79 @ 2019 Pac-12s)
• 200 Breast - 2:12.65 (#86) ... PB = 2:10.21

Another Bear who could be on the cusp of getting her cut is froski Ayla Spitz - more work to do there as she would have to go faster than her lifetime bests, but reckon the potential is truly there:

• Ayla
• 200 Free - 1:45.17 (#40) ... PB = 1:45.02
• 100 Back - 52.85 (#55) ... PB = 52.85 (not entered @ 2020 Pac-12s)
• 100 Free - 49.12 (#79) ... PB = 48.63
• 200 Back - 1:56.78 (#110) ... PB = 1:56.31

Would love to see freshie Eloise Riley make it, but she's still adjusting to the little pool and may need another season. Teri typically does not favour bringing "relay only" swimmers to the Big Dance.

• Eloise
• 50 Free - 22.50 (#72) ... PB = 22.50
• 100 Free - 49.77 (#157) ... PB = 49.77
• 200 Free - 1:48.86 (#40) ... PB = 1:48.86

---

SwimSwam writeup:
HOW TO WATCH THE 2020 WOMEN'S PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Pac-12 guide below:


and linking here to Championship Central on PAC-12 website for everything else.

Thank you, HBear!

Here are a few stats for your reference, for the 2 relays that will be contested this evening.

-------

*400 Medley Relay*

Current Top 3 in Nation (as of 25 Feb 2020)

• 1. NC State - 3:27.22
• 2. Virginia - 3:27.58
• 3. Michigan - 3:27.68

2019 Pac-12 results
===============

#1 Cal: 3:26.41
50.64 - Amy Bilquist (back)
59.53 - Ema Rajic (breast)
50.14 - Katie McLaughlin (fly)
46.10 - Abbey Weitzeil (free)

#2 USC: 3:29.83
50.74 - Louise Hansson (back)
59.12 - Riley Scott (breast)
51.87 - Jemma Schlicht (fly)
48.10 - Marta Ciesla (free)

#3 LSJU: 3:31.04
51.26 - Ella Eastin (leadoff)
59.56 - Allie Raab (breast)
52.85 - Amalie Fackenthal (fly)
47.37 - Lauren Pitzer (free)

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*800 Free Relay*

Current Top 3 in Nation (as of 25 Feb 2020)

• 1. Tennessee - 6:53.27
• 2. Virginia - 6:55.66
• 3. Wisconsin - 6:55.84

2019 Pac-12 results
===============

#1 Cal: 6:50.63
1:44.75 - Izzy Ivey (leadoff)
1:43.04 - Robin Neumann
1:41.25 - Katie McLaughlin
1:41.59 - Amy Bilquist

#2 LSJU: 6:51.69
1:42.80 - Taylor Ruck (leadoff)
1:42.55 - Ella Eastin
1:44.64 - Katie Drabot
1:41.70 - Brooke Forde

#3 USC: 6:54.56
1:42.67 - Louise Hansson (leadoff)
1:43.95 - LaticiaTransom
1:42.93 - Tatum Wade
1:45.01 - Kirsten Vose

-------

Skim of the B-final results:

800 FR --

• Cal B relay: (all freshies!) Sarah Dimeco (1:47.19), Rachel (1:45.11), Chloe (1:50.21), and Ashlyn (1:49.78) -- 7:12.29
• Stanford B relay: Glavinovich (1:47.64), Nordmann (1:44.05), Voss (1:44.57), Byrnes (1:49.28) -- 7:05.54

400 MR --

• B relay: Ayla (53.42), Ali (59.76), Rachel (51.91), Sophie (50.56)-- 3:35.65
• Touched out there in the end by Wade/USC (whose last 50 in 24.89 looked more than 1.5-2s faster than the rest of the field's closings, wow)
• USC B relay: Leach (54.23), Aroesty (59.88), Sanchez (53.44), Wade (47.69) -- 3:35.24
• No Stanford B relay

1:43.01 from Hansson to lead off U$C's first leg (then ASU's Nordin, then UCLA's Liu).

Great-looking leg from Izzy to pull Cal (probably fourth after the first 200) into even and the lead through her first 150. ASU pulled into first at the halfway point, but Robin swam a great leg to regain first through the 600.

USC's Transom pulled even with Alicia, then ahead to win the relay. Stanford had a very strong anchor, nearly catching Cal at the end (only 0.20 back).

Final:
USC -- 6:54.91 (now second in the country)

• Hansson 1:43.01
• Schlict 1:47.02
• Wade 1:43.08
• Transom 1:41.80

Cal -- 6:56.68

• Ayla 1:45.00
• Izzy 1:43.55
• Robin 1:43.39
• Alicia 1:44.74

Stanford -- 6:56.88

• Drabot 1:45.39
• Pitzer 1:44.43
• Tankersley 1:43.25
• Forde 1:43.81

HBear said:

---

1:43.01 from Hansson to lead off U$C's first leg (then ASU's Nordin, then UCLA's Liu).

Will edit accordingly with splits when they're available, but great-looking leg from Izzy to pull Cal (probably fourth after the first 200) into even and the lead through her first 150. ASU pulled into first at the halfway point, but Robin swam a great leg to regain first through the 600.

USC's Transom pulled even with Alicia, then ahead to win the relay. Stanford had a very strong anchor, nearly catching Cal at the end (only 0.20 back).

Final: USC, Cal, Stanford

---

Thanks for the updates HBear. I've always said that our national relay rankings have been overstated because Abbey and Izzy can not be in all five relays. This really showed up in the 800, because there is no way we lose that if Abbey is swimming.

HBear said:

---

Nice back leg from Keaton to put Cal in first, but Allie Raab put LSJU in the lead (slightly so) against Ema. Izzy really having great swims tonight! Swam well to stake Cal out to a lead again after the breaststroke was about even with Stanford, and then Abbey sealed the deal.

Final:
Cal -- 3:27.26

• Keeks 52.04
• Ema
• Izzy
• Abbey

USC -- 3:30.73

• Transom
• Odgers
• Hansson
• Ciesla

Stanford -- 3:31.58

• Crisera
• Raab
• Fackenthal
• Goeders

---

That time is good for second nationally behind NC State, but ahead of Virginia. We still need a better time from Keeks at NCs.

tedbear said:

---

That time is good for second nationally behind NC State, but ahead of Virginia. We still need a better time from Keeks at NCs.

---

Well methinks some of us may have been a spot spoilt by Billy's commanding leadoffs on this relay last year (50.64 @ 2019 Pac-12s, 50.84 @ 2019 NCAAs) lol.

Not entirely confident (but hope to be proven wrong ) that Keeks can dip significantly below 52 sec in this relay come March seeing that she was a 52.26 @ 2019 NCAAs prelims. Keaton does have a 51.34 PB to her credit in the 100 Back individual from 2019 Pac-12s, and that 52.03 relay leadoff represents a season best for Blovad

Ema's worth 1/2 to a full second drop come March I would imagine, judging from recent history (went 59.53 in this relay @ Pac-12s last season, then laid down a sweet 58.53 split @ NCAAs). I'm quite hopeful that Rajic will get down to the low 58 territory - or even break the 58 sec barrier - at the Big Dance

Izzy continues to impress massively as her 50.28 on the fly leg isn't that far off Katie McL's 50.14 @ 2019 Pac-12s followed by Bug's 50.0 @ 2019 NCAAs...Ivey is another "taper swimmer", so it's scary and brilliant all at the same time lol when she commented in the post-race interview that she was "more focussed on NCs"! It's evident that Izz has quite a bit more in reserve to delight Bears fans next month, as witness her stunning progression curve between conference and nationals last season.

As for Abbey, wicked as that 45.77 anchor was (swifter than her 45.87 split @ 2019 NCAA finals), I reckon we may be in for a special treat come March - Dubs is definitely not fully tapered here, having much bigger fishes to fry in the near future, i.e. NCAAs followed by OT and (fingers crossed) Tokyo!

Froski Rachel Klinker had some fab swims in both B relays too - look forward to see how she performs this week, esp in her 200 Fly. Further improvements in her sprint fly in particular will bode well for the future (51.91 fly split on the 400 MR this evening - Rachel's PB in the 100 Fly is a 54.18!), with Maddie graduating this season and not a lot of fly help behind Izzy until our 2021 class begins their journey in Berkeley...

Ayla had also hit a lifetime best leading off Cal's 800 FR (by 0.02 sec ).

*Trees* not quite as fearsome as I had anticipated in these early stages - but then again, LSJU has yet to compete in their favoured events, no doubt snatching the Pac-12 Champs title once again with a comfy margin. Greg also has a history of not fully showing his hand until when it fully matters, i.e. @ NCAAs. Although Meehan surely must have rested a number of his Furdettes who don't presently have times that are fast enough to safely qualify for March?

Must note here that Kiwi Sophomore Laticia Transom's 1:41.80 anchor on the *Trojanette*'s 800 Free Relay did catch my eye...very commendable development there.

• UPDATES =>

--------



Cal Starts Pac-12s With 400 Medley Relay Title

Bears Also Take Second In 800 Free Relay On Opening Night Of Conference Meet

• Results

--------

Sarah Darcel a scratch from her events for the meet. Hoping she's okay -- https://swimswam.com/2020-w-pac-12-championships-stanfords-forde-cals-darcel-scratch-200-im/

HBear said:

---

Sarah Darcel a scratch from her events for the meet. Hoping she's okay -- https://swimswam.com/2020-w-pac-12-championships-stanfords-forde-cals-darcel-scratch-200-im/

---

CAL ALL-AMERICAN SARAH DARCEL OUT OF 2020 PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH INJURY

SwimSwam has now confirmed with Cal that Darcel won't be competing this weekend. She's back home recovering from an injury, but the Bears are hopeful that she'll be able to join them at the NCAA Championships next month.

Her season best in the 200 IM is a hundredth faster than what it took to make NCAAs in 2019, while her season-best 400 IM is over half a second faster than what it took last season. She's currently ranked 29th in the 200 IM and 30th in the 400 IM.

Darcel brought in 79 points for the Bears at Pac-12s last season. She's their 2nd highest returning scorer, behind only NCAA Champion Abbey Weitzeil (96 points). That leaves the Bears with some holes to fill. Last season, Darcel was the bronze medalist in both IM events. She also placed 5th in the 200 fly.

With Stanford anticipated to have an edge in diving, this could make it more difficult for Cal to challenge for the title. The Cardinal is the 3-time defending champion. Cal did kick off the meet with an advantage through day 1. They finished just ahead of Stanford, 2nd to the Cardinal's 3rd, in the 800 free relay. They then won the 400 medley relay while Stanford took another bronze.

HBear said:

---

Nice back leg from Keaton to put Cal in first, but Allie Raab put LSJU in the lead (slightly so) against Ema. Izzy really having great swims tonight! Swam well to stake Cal out to a lead again after the breaststroke was about even with Stanford, and then Abbey sealed the deal.

---

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

---

As for Abbey, wicked as that 45.77 anchor was (compared to Weitzeil's 45.87 split @ 2019 NCAA finals), I reckon we may be in for a special treat come March - Dubs is definitely not fully tapered here, having much bigger fishes to fry in the near future, i.e. NCAAs followed by OT and Tokyo!

---

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

---

Froski Rachel Klinker had some fab swims in both B relays too - look forward to see how she performs this week, esp in her 200 Fly. Improvements in her sprint fly in particular will bode well for the future (51.91 fly split on the 400 MR this evening - Rachel's PB in the 100 Fly is a 54.18!), with Maddie graduating this season and not a lot of fly help behind Izzy until our 2021 class...

---

CAL'S ABBEY WEITZEIL KICKS OFF PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH 45.77 RELAY ANCHOR

On day 1 of the 2020 Pac-12 Championships, Abbey Weitzeil got off to a fast start. She anchored the Bears' winning 400 medley relay with a 45.77 split. That's the fastest relay split of her career, clipping the 45.87 she swam on the anchor of the 400 medley relay at the 2019 NCAA Championships.

Weitzeil's 45.77 anchor was the fastest of the field by nearly 2 seconds. Read on for all of the top relay 3 splits on each leg from Wednesday night's events.

TOP SPLITS, WOMEN'S 400 MEDLEY RELAY, 2020 PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Back

• Keaton Blovad (Cal A), 52.03
• Alexandra Crisera (Stanford A), 52.48
• Aria Bernal (Arizona A), 52.57

Breast

• Allie Raab (Stanford A), 58.60
• Ema Rajic (Cal A), 59.18
• Silja Kansakoski (ASU A), 59.48

Fly

• Louise Hansson (USC A), 49.95
• Izzy Ivey (Cal A), 50.28
• Rachel Klinker (Cal B), 51.91

Free

• Abbey Weitzeil (Cal A), 45.77
• Marta Ciesla (USC A), 47.64
• Tatum Wade (USC B), 47.69

Has Darcel reached the A qualifying mark yet or does she have a solid "B" mark?

OBear073akaSMFan said:

---

Has Darcel reached the A qualifying mark yet or does she have a solid "B" mark?

---

Quick simplistic answer (someone more knowledgeable please correct this if there are any erroneous assumptions :p)

NCAA 'A' & 'B' cuts are less significant in this scenario than one may have reckoned. Historically the invite cutoff line has hovered around the #36 or #37 ranked Division I swimmer for most events. Since a number of conference championships are still in progress (Pac-12, Big 12 etc), we don't have a clear picture quite yet of where in the national rankings Darcel will end up in her primary events.

Once a swimmer receives an NCAA invite for an event @ NCs, she can elect to enter any combination of races in which she has already achieved a "B' cut, even if that time is ranked, for example, #100 nationally (max limit of 3 individuals).

As per the SwimSwam article, Sarah's currently ranked 29th in the 200 IM, and 30th in the 400 IM (all are 'B' cuts). So hopefully will qualify, but no guarantee should 6 or more swimmers who are currently ranked lower achieve a faster time than Darcel at the conclusion of the remaining conference championship meets this weekend...

Quick copy-paste from the live results:

1 Nordin, Emma JR Arizona State-AZ 4:40.99 4:37.39
2 Laning, Erica JR Arizona State-AZ 4:39.96 4:37.90
3 Runge, Cierra SR Arizona State-AZ 4:37.26 4:38.36
4 Neumann, Robin JR California-PC 4:41.87 4:39.28
5 Forde, Brooke JR Stanford-PC 4:36.31 4:39.36
6 Pitzer, Lauren JR Stanford-PC 4:38.57 4:39.43
7 Voss, Erin SR Stanford-PC 4:40.12 4:39.51
8 Tankersley, Morgan SO Stanford-PC 4:45.30 4:39.72
-----------------------------------------------------------------
9 Jacobsen, Kirsten SR Arizona-AZ 4:43.21 4:39.76
10 Cox, Hannah SR Arizona-AZ 4:44.52 4:40.29
11 Dawson, Kendall SR Arizona State-AZ 4:40.24 4:40.45
12 Drabot, Katie SR Stanford-PC 4:35.84 4:42.02
13 Spitz, Ayla FR California-PC 4:51.15 4:42.40
14 Macias, Ayumi SR Arizona-AZ 4:42.46 4:43.10
15 Klinker, Rachel FR California-PC 4:43.29 4:43.24
16 Dimeco, Sarah FR California-PC 4:44.44 4:44.16

4 Trees, 1 Bear, 3 Sun Devils in the A-final. Nice freshmen showing in the B-final with Cal putting 3 up!

I believe that's a new PB for every single Cal swimmer who finaled tonight:Robin (prev. 4:39.34 from last year's Pac-12s), for Ayla (4:45.91 from May 2018), Rachel (4:43.29 from Minnesota Invite this year), and Sarah (4:44.26 from Dec. 2017). Go Bears!

Ashlyn also swam today, adding a little bit from her seed (4:52.22 result vs. 4:48.25 best time).

SwimSwam excerpt:
"Cal's Robin Neumann won the final heat with a lifetime best 4:39.24. Stanford earned their 4th championship finalists out of that heat with Lauren Pitzer's 4:39.43. Pitzer was the 2019 runner-up in this event. Teammate Katie Drabot swam a 4:42.02 in that heat to qualify for the B final in 12th. The Cardinal will have 4 swimmers in the championship heat.

The Bears outperformed their projections in this race. Cal freshman Ayla Spitz made a big drop in the early heats. Spitz dominated her heat in 4:42.40, dropping 3.5 seconds. Fellow freshman Sarah Dimeco also clipped her best with a 4:44.16 in the circle-seeded heats. Both will swim in the B final, as will another freshma teammate, Rachel Klinker, who hit a lifetime best 4:43.24.

The Bears only had 2 scorers in this event last season, with Neumann in the C final and then-freshman Cassidy Bayer, who is currently taking a break from swimming, in the C final. Stanford has consistently scored a ton of points over the past few seasons. They made up half of the A final in 2019 as well."

200 IM

1 Hansson, Louise SR USC-CA 1:56.17 1:55.70
2 Ivey, Izzy SO California-PC 1:54.68 1:56.65
3 Blovad, Keaton SR California-PC 1:56.85 1:56.71
4 Wilson, Alicia SO California-PC 1:54.68 1:57.37
5 Deleske, Nora JR Arizona State-AZ 1:59.50 1:57.80
6 Wade, Tatum SR USC-CA 1:56.48 1:57.89
7 Liu, Kenisha SR UCLA-CA 1:59.93 1:57.98
8 Smith, Delaney SO UCLA-CA 2:01.92 1:58.31
-----------------------------------------------------------------
9 Odgers, Isa SO USC-CA 1:58.54 1:58.57
10 Merckx, Axana FR Arizona-AZ 1:58.83 1:58.89
11 Bartel, Zoe SO Stanford-PC 1:58.07 1:59.00
12 Kirschke, Ella SO UCLA-CA 2:00.51 1:59.34
13 Pavlopoulou, Nicole FR USC-CA 1:57.84 1:59.39
14 Isleta, Chloe Kennedy SR Arizona State-AZ 1:59.08 1:59.55
15 Pittard, Charity FR Utah-UT 2:01.28 1:59.88
16 Bernal, Aria SO Arizona-AZ 2:01.43 2:00.05
-----------------------------------------------------------------
17 Burckel, Lauren SO Washington St.-I 2:00.50 2:00.14
18 Aroesty, Maggie JR USC-CA NT 2:00.24
19 Okada, Amy SR UCLA-CA 2:00.67 2:00.38
20 Spears, Lizzy SO Arizona State-AZ 2:01.91 2:00.81
21 Foelske, Jade FR Arizona State-AZ 2:00.64 2:01.15
21 McCoy, Taylor JR Washington St.-I 2:00.51 2:01.15
23 Mykkanen, Courtney SR California-PC 2:01.94 2:01.33
24 Janvier, Aela FR USC-CA 2:00.26 2:01.54

Also in this event:
Ali (2:02.07), Alexa S-N (2:02.74), Ema (2:03.24), Natalie (2:04.17), Alexa B. (2:04.87), and Chloe (2:06.19). Of note, Allie Szekely (LSJU) exhibitioned a 1:58.28, which would've taken the last spot in the A-final.

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

---

bearz012 said:

---

bearz012 said:

---

Invite times from last year:

50 free - 22.23

---

{posted 7 Dec 2019}

Hopefully, Ali, Cassidy, and Maddie can drop a little more time and qualify like they did last year. If Ayla and Eloise drop a few more tenths, they'll probably make the team as well.

---

Main goal for the team @ conference should be to qualify several additional Bears for NCAAs. For those who have already earned a probable invite, upgrading their SB times to improve their seeding for NCAAs would be key, on top of helping the team scoring here.

Putting the Furdettes in their place :p by claiming the 2020 Pac-12 team title with a series of convincing performances would just be gravy really - alas likely an unrealised dream this season, due to LSJU's traditional strengths & depth relative to Cal historically in events such as the 500 Free, 400 IM, Breasts, 1650 Free, 200 Back, 200 Fly & Diving...but hey, you never know! I wouldn't overlook Salo's Trojanettes in the sprint frees either, even if they do have a history of sputtering out @ NCAAs after a strong Pac-12 showing.

Here are some estimated NCAA qualifying time ranges based on the swims to-date this year. The "on the bubble" times will probably end up being too slow (i.e. need to aim higher to be safely in), since a number of conferences with title-contending teams haven't yet been contested, i.e. Pac-12s & Big 12s, and standards have risen in this Olympic year.

Event | Target: #29 = likely in | #36 = on the bubble

..50 Free | 22.13 | 22.20

Cal presently is looking likely to send at least 9 invitees to 2020 NCAAs (see bearz012's list above).

I would venture (fingers crossed ) that 2 more swimmers in the blue & gold will join their sisters for the main event in March - Maddie & Ali, both of whom respond very well to a spot of taper.

• Maddie
• 50 Free - 22.52 (#75) ... PB = 21.76
• 100 Fly - 53.48 (#99) ... PB = 51.15
• 100 Free - 49.56 (#128) ... PB = 48.22

Madds racing fast & qualifying is vital for the team - 200 Free Relay where we are defending champions (American, NCAA, US Open & Pool record @ 2019 NCAAs) - will be a challenge w/o Murphy's contribution here, even with the AR holder Abbey on anchor...provides Teri with an option to use Izzy on back instead of fly on the medley relay(s)...shore up Cal's wobbly sprint fly depth this year, etc. I am confident Maddie will come through as early as tomorrow (50 Free).

Would love to see freshie Eloise Riley make it, but she's still adjusting to the little pool and may need another season. Teri typically does not favour bringing "relay only" swimmers to the Big Dance.

• Eloise
• 50 Free - 22.50 (#72) ... PB = 22.50
• 100 Free - 49.77 (#157) ... PB = 49.77
• 200 Free - 1:48.86 (#40) ... PB = 1:48.86

---

Haha, never been so chuffed over being so wrong

Event 6: Women 50 Yard Freestyle

Rank | Name | Year | School | Seed | Prelims
3 | Riley, Eloise | FR | California-PC | 22.50 | 22.08 !!!!!
6 | Murphy, Maddie | SR | California-PC | 22.52 | 22.22

1 Weitzeil, Abbey SR California-PC 20.90 21.09
2 Goeders, Anya SO Stanford-PC 22.35 22.01
3 Ciesla, Marta JR USC-CA 22.21 22.08
3 Riley, Eloise FR California-PC 22.50 22.08
5 Grover, Claire SO UCLA-CA 22.13 22.13
6 Murphy, Maddie SR California-PC 22.52 22.22
7 Curry, Camryn JR Arizona State-AZ 22.43 22.23
8 Wheal, Emma FR Stanford-PC 22.80 22.26
-----------------------------------------------------------------
9 Fackenthal, Amalie SO Stanford-PC 22.25 22.45
10 Connor, Alayna SO Arizona-AZ 22.53 22.49
11 Filipek, Kayla JR Arizona-AZ 22.64 22.56
12 Kosturos, Sophia FR UCLA-CA 23.07 22.66
12 Schlicht, Jemma JR USC-CA 22.30 22.66
14 Jameson, Maisie SR UCLA-CA 22.89 22.68
15 Rhee, Rachel FR UCLA-CA 23.21 22.74
16 Larson, Chloe JR Washington St.-I 22.82 22.75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
17 Green, Lauren JR Stanford-PC 22.88 22.77
18 Crisera, Alex FR Stanford-PC 22.59 22.87
18 Garcia, Elise SO California-PC 23.34 22.87
20 Dang, Gabby FR UCLA-CA 23.45 22.89
21 Volpenhein, Ashley JR Stanford-PC 22.93 22.92
22 Stenstrom, Brooke SR Stanford-PC 23.15 22.93
23 Anderson, Gabrielle SO UCLA-CA 23.44 22.96
24 Davidson, Emma FR California-PC 23.30 23.01 -- swim-off pending with
24 Zhao, Grace JR Stanford-PC 23.32 23.01

Quote:

---

Haha, never been so chuffed over being so wrong

---

Cheers, UAC! Definitely very promising to see Eloise's time. LSJU with some pretty admirable sprint development (Goeders, Wheal, Fackenthal). Big cheers on Abbey leading the A-parade by nearly a second.

SwimSwam excerpt:
"Cal's Abbey Weitzeil took down her own Meet Record here, dominating by nearly a second in 21.09. That was the 4th fastest performance in history. Weitzeil set the NCAA and American Record in December, becoming the first woman ever under 21 in 20.90."

Quick up/mid/down:

500 FREE
Cal 1/3/0 --> 4 total
LSJU 4/1/3 --> 8 total

200 IM
Cal 3/0/1 --> 4 total
LSJU 0/1/0 --> 1 total

50 FREE
Cal 3/0/1 --> 4 total
LSJU 2/1/5 --> 8 total

Some serious depth there with LSJU's roster. 200 FR points up for grabs tonight, too.

That Eloise Riley time is a game changer in so many ways!!! Currently #24 nationally.

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

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Freshie Emma Davidson also close to her 22.95 lifetime best from HS with that 23.01 (her 2nd fastest swim ever). Cheering for her to win the swimoff v. LSJU's Grace Zhao!

---

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but Zhao won the swimoff, so Emma is first alternate to a very stacked LSJU C-final fiddle.

Couple more recap links:

2020 WOMEN'S PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 2 PRELIMS LIVE RECAP

a nicer recap of my cursory math: W. PAC-12 UP/MID/DOWNS DAY 2: STANFORD PROJECTED TO OUTSCORE CAL BY 3.5 POINTS

• "Cal ended the morning with the most championship finalists, with 7 to Stanford's 6, but the Cardinal has the most total scorers with 17 and could take the lead. Cal has 12 total scorers tonight. However, the Bears enter finals with a 12-point lead over Stanford. When we scored out this morning's session, Stanford was only projected to outscore the Bears by 3.5 points."

and a big go Bears on this one: CAL'S WEITZEIL DOWNS PAC-12 MEET RECORD WITH 21.09 IN PRELIMS, 4TH FASTEST EVER

• "Cal's Abbey Weitzeil has been having a historic season. In December, Weitzeil became the first woman to ever break 21 in the 50 free, setting a new American and NCAA Record in 20.90. That lowered her own former mark of 21.02 from the 2019 NCAA Championships. On Thursday morning at the Pac-12 Championships, Weitzeil raced to a dominant 21.09, outpacing any other swimmer by nearly a second. That was the 4th fastest swim in history and took down her Pac-12 Meet Record of 21.16 from 2019.
  
  This came after a fast start for Weitzeil on day 1. She anchored Cal's 400 medley relay to victory. Her 45.77 split was her fastest ever by a tenth, and was nearly 2 seconds faster than the rest of the field.
  
  When we take a look at her collegiate progression in the 50 free, we can see that Weitzeil has consistently been faster at conference than she's swum at midseason. After setting the American Record in 2016 as a teenager prior to joining Cal, Weitzeil was off her best for a couple of years. We saw Weitzeil at her best as a junior, however, as she set the American Record to win NCAAs in 21.02. Her NCAA Record from midseason is definitely on notice in tonight's final."

Ayla!! 4:39.24 to take second in the B-final. Wow. Another drop of 3 seconds for a new personal best (6 seconds overall today?!) and I think her swim slots into the top 10. Great way to start the night!

Multitasking so will leave the reporting & updates in your capable hands, HBear, cheers!

Personal bests for Klinker & DiMeco too in the B final!

Spitz is now ranked at around #21 nationally! (well, before the conclusion of the A final, that is :p)

Wow, Emma Nordin sets the fastest time in the country (beating UVA's Paige Madden) with a 4:33.74.

A-final: Nordin wins (ASU), Stanford takes 2-4-5-6, Robin adds a bit from her prelims best time to take 8th.
8 Neumann, Robin JR California-PC 4:39.28 4:41.36
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B-final: Jacobsen wins the heat, followed by Ayla. Strong freshman showing; Drabot scores for the Farm here.
10 Spitz, Ayla FR California-PC 4:42.40 4:39.24
14 Klinker, Rachel FR California-PC 4:43.24 4:42.73
15 Dimeco, Sarah FR California-PC 4:44.16 4:43.22
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No Bears in the C-final, and LSJU with their deep distance corps takes 19-20-21 (Kukurugya, Byrnes, and Glavinovich).

Also of note: LSJU took 2-3 on the 1M dive finals, buoying their points lead some.

All in all, decent 500 showing for our Bears.

• SwimSwam excerpt: "Cal freshman Ayla Spitz made a big drop. She took 3.5 seconds off her best this morning, and lowered it again by over 3 seconds tonight. Spitz broke 4:40 for the first time in 4:39.24 as she out-touched Stanford's Katie Drabot (4:39.33).
  
  There were 3 Cal freshmen in that B heat, all swimming best times again. Rachel Klinker took 6th in the heat with a 4:42.73, just ahead of teammate Sarah Dimeco (4:43.22). "

200 IM

A-final: Hansson wins by a smidgen over Izzy, who gave Louise a good run for her money through the last 12.5-25 or so.
2 Ivey, Izzy SO California-PC 1:56.65 1:54.67 (2019 final: 1:54.31)
3 Wilson, Alicia SO California-PC 1:57.37 1:55.85 (2019 final: 1:56.52)
4 Blovad, Keaton SR California-PC 1:56.71 1:55.88 (2019 final: 1:55.62)
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B-final: Zoe Bartel takes the heat (lone LSJU representative in this event tonight. No Bears.
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C-final:
23 Mykkanen, Courtney SR California-PC 2:01.33 2:01.64

50 free:

A-final: Abbey wins handily (roll on you Bears) but doesn't look altogether very pleased with her time, tbh. LSJU takes 3rd and 8th here (Goeders breaks 22 with her 22.91 finish).
1 Weitzeil, Abbey SR California-PC 21.09 21.03
4 Murphy, Maddie SR California-PC 22.22 22.14
7 Riley, Eloise FR California-PC 22.08 22.33
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B-final: Fackenthal took 2nd here for the Farm (22.38). No Cal swimmers here.
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C-final: LSJU depth really stepped up here, taking the top 3 spots. (22.74, 22.79, and 22.80 for Crisera, Volphenhein, and Green).

Yep, Abbey's post-race interview somewhat says as much. Mentioned having a weird race and really didn't look happy about her time (let's hope that bodes alright for March?).

At any rate --> WEITZEIL BREAKS PAC-12 MEET RECORD AGAIN, TIES 3RD FASTEST EVER IN 21.03
"After setting the Pac-12 Meet Record in prelims of the 50 free, Cal's Abbey Weitzeil raced to another historic swim as she defended her title. Weitzeil took down her own Meet Record again with a 21.03 to win the final. This morning, Weitzeil swam what was then the 4th fastest time ever (21.09). She now owns 7 of the fastest swims in history. Weitzeil has had a very strong showing here. She also anchored Cal's 400 medley relay in 45.77, her fastest split ever by a tenth."

Bears wrap up the night with a win in the 200 FR! No Abbey, interestingly enough. Great underwaters from Maddie and Izzy to take home the win.

1 California-PC 'A' 1:27.14 1:27.22
1) Riley, Eloise FR 2) Blovad, Keaton SR
3) Murphy, Maddie SR 4) Ivey, Izzy SO

22.27 | 44.32 (22.05) | 1:05.79 (21.47) | 1:27.22 (21.43)

2 Stanford-PC 'A' 1:28.88 1:28.32
1) Goeders, Anya SO 2) Pitzer, Lauren JR
3) Fackenthal, Amalie SO 4) Wheal, Emma FR

22.30 | 44.46 (22.16) | 1:06.43 (21.97) | 1:28.32 (21.89)

3 USC-CA 'A' 1:27.41 1:28.44
1) Ciesla, Marta JR 2) Transom, Laticia SO
3) Schlicht, Jemma JR 4) Wade, Tatum SR

22.23 | 44.19 (21.96) | 1:06.55 (22.36) | 1:28.44 (21.89)
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California-PC 'B' 1:34.25 x1:30.79
1) Davidson, Emma FR 2) Light, Aislinn SR
3) Spitz, Ayla FR 4) Garcia, Elise SO

22.76 | 45.38 (22.62) | 1:08.30 (22.92) | 1:30.79 (22.49)

SwimSwam excerpt:

• "Even without Weitzeil, Cal dominated this race. Freshman Eloise Riley led off in 22.27. Keaton Blovad (22.05), Maddie Murphy (21.47), and Izzy Ivey (21.43) followed for a 1:27.22 victory."

How many events total can a college swimmer participate in in one meet? 5 or 6? Is this the reason that Abbey Weitzeil didn't anchor to save her for other events? Izzy could have placed in the 50m free (21.43). too. Cal has some versatile swimmers. GO BEARS!

HBear said:

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California-PC 'B' 1:34.25 x1:30.79
1) Davidson, Emma FR 2) Light, Aislinn SR
3) Spitz, Ayla FR 4) Garcia, Elise SO

22.76 | 45.38 (22.62) | 1:08.30 (22.92) | 1:30.79 (22.49)

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UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

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Freshie Emma Davidson also close to her 22.95 lifetime best from HS with that 23.01 in prelims (her 2nd fastest swim ever).

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Emma had indeed achieved a new personal best of 22.76 leading off Cal's B squad in that 200 FR. Nice development, well done!

HBear said:

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Bears wrap up the night with a win in the 200 FR! No Abbey, interestingly enough. Great underwaters from Maddie and Izzy to take home the win.

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Schroeder71 said:

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How many events total can a college swimmer participate in in one meet? 5 or 6? Is this the reason that Abbey Weitzeil didn't anchor to save her for other events? Izzy could have placed in the 50m free (21.43). too.

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7 is the magic number, of which not more than 3 may be individual events, i.e. up to 4 relays in addition @ Championship level meets.

Abbey didn't compete in the *800 Free relay* yesterday evening, so she was eligible for all 4 remaining relays, including tonight's *200 Free relay*.

Hopefully Weitzeil's absence isn't injury-related, or perhaps Teri's just being cautious after seeing Dubs' apparent discomfort after the 50 Free, so not taking any unnecessary risks? Winning Pac-12s isn't considered that important an objective in the bigger picture, and Bears still accomplished the win fairly easily w/o Abbey anyway

Izzy isn't a sprinter or freestyle specialist per se (she had admitted in her post race interview that she doesn't usually swim this relay), but her rangy versatility and breadth of skills do come in handy here - those luvly underwaters, like Maddie's, don't exactly hurt in short course either! Do keep in mind that Ivey's anchor split time was from a *relay start*, so need to factor in reaction times etc.

• UPDATES =>

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

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Hopefully Weitzeil's absence isn't injury-related, or perhaps Teri's just being cautious after seeing Dubs' apparent discomfort after the 50 Free, so not taking any unnecessary risks?

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Two More Pac-12 Titles

Abbey Weitzeil Wins 50 Free; Bears Claim 200 Free Relay

• Results

Weitzeil also becomes the third Golden Bear in the last 10 years to claim back-to-back 50 free titles, following Liv Jensen (2011, 2012) and Farida Osman (2015, 2016).

Weitzeil, though, injured her arm at the finish and was held out of the free relay as a precaution.

Head coach Teri McKeever said that Weitzeil would be evaluated overnight to determine her status for the remainder of the championships.

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• UPDATE =>

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

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UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

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Hopefully Weitzeil's absence isn't injury-related, or perhaps Teri's just being cautious after seeing Dubs' apparent discomfort after the 50 Free, so not taking any unnecessary risks?

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Weitzeil, though, injured her arm at the finish and was held out of the free relay as a precaution. Head coach Teri McKeever said that Weitzeil would be evaluated overnight to determine her status for the remainder of the championships.

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Had guessed as much when the post-race interviewer's mic caught her (interviewer) mentioning something about Abbey's arm, and comment on SwimSwam referred to Abbey rubbing her arm. Dang, really hope she rests up and recovers well for health's sake (and for the rest of the meet, selfishly). How many freak finish occurrences in a post-season can one swimmer accumulate?!