Cal Women Swim Past UCLA to Conclude Pac-12 Showdown Weekend

Cal wrapped up its weekend visit to Southern California with a 179.5-117.5 dual-meet victory at UCLA Saturday afternoon. The Golden Bears captured 10 of the 14 swimming events, including two each by freshman Leah Polonsky and junior Ayla Spitz.

Cal, ranked seventh nationally, swept at least the top three places in four separate races, starting with the 200 free when Polonsky reached the wall first in 1:59.53, followed closely by Ella Mazurek (1:49.62) and Elise Garcia (1:50.47). Spitz then led a 1-2-3 result for the Bears in the 200 back (1:58.75), with Annika McEnroe second (2:00.53) and Mia Motekaitis third (2:01.97).

In the 500 free, Fanni Fabian was the first of four Cal swimmers to beat the Bruins to the finish, touching in 4:57.02. Rachel Klinker (4:57.74), Lizzy Cook (5:01.16) and Emily Gantriis (5:08.73) were next in line. Finally, Isabel Ivey (54.18), Mia Kragh (54.25) and McKenna Stone (54.89) led a Cal sweep of the 100 fly.

Polonsky’s second victory came in the 400 IM (4:17.23), while Spitz also captured the 1000 free (10:05.12). In addition, Isabelle Stadden claimed the 100 back (53.20), Klinker took the 200 fly (1:58.22), and Cal won both the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay.

On Friday, the Bears defeated No. 10 USC, 157-137, and with the UCLA result, Cal stands at 5-1 on the year.

The Bears return to action on Saturday, Feb. 12 when they host Stanford at 12 noon at Spieker Aquatics Complex for their final dual meet of the season.