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By Dan D’Addona.
The Stanford women’s swim team utterly dominated the second night of the NCAA championships.
Katie Ledecky, Simone Manuel and Ella Eastin cruised to victories in their individual events, but it was the relays that put a stamp on the Cardinal dominance Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
The 4×100 medley relay won for the fifth consecutive season and seniors Janet Hu and Ally Howe have had an unprecedented piece of that performance, being a part of all four national titles in the event during their college careers.
“I think it is something really special,” Hu said. “We are two of three people who have done that on a relay at Stanford.”
It meant a little more doing it together.
“It is definitely always fun to do something like that with Janet,” Howe said. “I know she is going to throw down a killer fly split and I try to do that in backstroke. Definitely special to do something like that with Janet — especially our last relay.”
And they fittingly did it on the same pool deck where they met for the first time and realized just how much they had in common. They have so many connections that date back to birth — yes birth. Yes, they have the exact same birthday. They both are butterfly and backstroke specialists and chose Stanford.
“We met at Ohio State at 2010 winter nationals and we were behind the blocks. I don’t know why we were talking about birthdays, but it was like, ‘Your birthday is Tuesday? Mine too!” Hu said. “That was pretty cool. Being able to end our last meet together is really coming full circle.”
“It has been great having Janet these past four years, especially someone else as a training partner. She pushes me to be the best I can,” Howe said.
Both Hu and Howe have been integral in leading the Cardinal into national title contention their entire careers and were part of the pinnacle season last year.
This year, they have already put their stamp on the meet being a part of two winning relays Thursday.
“We just wanted to keep the ball rolling,” Hu said. “Seeing our teammates do well definitely gave us confidence going into the last relay.”
On Friday, they will swim the 100 back together. Both have been under 50.00 sometime in the past two seasons. It will likely take a repeat performance to win this year.
“I know I have to get out fast,” Howe said. “I know I have always been solid the second 50, but if I can hang on and push those underwaters — and I have the best underwaterer in the country next to me. So if I can just utilize my Janet Hu underwaters, hopefully I can have a good swim.”
Hu also will swim the 100 fly.
“I have the double for the last time. Sot it is just about staying focused and staying in my own race,” she said.
But the Cardinal are nowhere near finished.
The dominating Thursday that saw the Cardinal win all five swimming events on the night still leaves two days remaining on Stanford’s march toward a repeat title.
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Set the pool on fire, 200 Yd freestyle relay NCAA 2028 champions
Nice job ladies!