UCLA swimming and diving continued its undefeated start to the season after defeating Arizona by a score of 176-124 on Friday afternoon at the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center. UCLA won 11 of the 16 events in the dual meet, sweeping both the relays and diving events. Bruin divers were competing for the first time this season. The Bruins improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Pac-12 competition with the victory. The Wildcats dropped to 2-2, 1-1.
Team Scores:
- UCLA 176, Arizona 124
UCLA Swimming and Diving Press Release
Seniors Kenisha Liu (200 free, 200 breast) and Amy Okada (100 fly, 200 fly) were big contributors for the Bruins, winning multiple events and swimming on the first-place relay teams (Liu on both, Okada in the 200 medley). Freshman Sophia Kosturos (100 back) and sophomore Claire Grover (100 breast) also won events, and freshman Rachel Rhee (100 free) recorded her first collegiate win.
Over on springboard, a pair of juniors had strong performances en route to their first career victories. Alice Yanovsky claimed gold on 3M and was the third-place finisher in 1M. Making her collegiate debut, Ruby Neave picked up the 1M championship and was the runner-up in 3M.
UCLA started the afternoon with a standout performance in the 200 medley, as the A Team of Kosturos, Grover, Okada, and Liu finished first at 1:40.62 to grab an early lead.
The Bruins next placed 3-4-5 in the 1000 free, with Daniella Hawkins recording the top time at 10:10.29.
UCLA picked up its first individual win of the afternoon in the 200 free, as Liu placed first with a time of 1:49.64, the top time by a Bruin so far this year. Ella Kirschke (1:50.86) and Brooke Schaffer (1:51.07) both scored and set season-bests as well.
Kosturos picked up key points for the Bruins in the 100 back, winning the event with a season-best time of 54.02. Jennifer Lathrop (55.69) shaved a couple seconds off her season-best time to pick up fourth place.
Grover kept the Bruins rolling by winning the 100 breast at 1:01.44, notching an NCAA B Cut in the process. Rhee (1:03.66, fourth) and Emily Lo (1:04.96, fifth) rounded out UCLA’s scoring contingent.
Okada made it four straight wins for UCLA by claiming the 200 fly championship, breaking the 2-minute mark for the first time this season at 1:59.24.
The Bruins had three swimmers score in the 50 free, led by Grover’s second-place time of 23.31. Maisie Jameson finished right behind her at 23.46 while freshman Gabby Dang placed fifth at 23.79.
UCLA posted the top two scores in the 3M diving championship. Junior Alice Yanovsky finished the competition with a score of 264.15 to notch her first collegiate win. Neave was the runner-up with a solid score of 259.20.
After the first break, Rhee got the Bruins back into a groove by taking first place in the 100 free for her first collegiate win. Rhee finished the race in 50.66, the best time in the 100 free by a Bruin this year.
Arizona’s Axana Merckx claimed the 200 back title, but UCLA minimized the damage by placing 2-3-4 led by a season-best time of 1:58.05 from Kosturos.
Liu picked up her second victory of the afternoon in the 200 breast, recording a season-best time of 2:15.63.
Okada (54.71) finished her sweep of the butterfly events after edging out teammate Gabby Dang in the 100 fly (54.76). The latter set a new collegiate best with the runner-up performance.
Following the second break, UCLA swam the 400 IM for the first time this season with Ella Kirschke (4:21.51, runner-up) recording the best time on the team. Delaney Smith wasn’t far behind at 4:24.39.
The Bruins capped the swimming portion of the meet by winning the 200 free relay. Swimming that relay for the first time in 2019-20, the Bruin A Team of Jameson, Liu, Kosturos, and Grover notched a time of 1:31.96.
Arizona Press Release
Despite the loss, the Cats were able to rack up five wins. Senior Hannah Cox picked up three of those wins for Arizona in the 500 Free, 1000 Free, and the 400 IM. Kayla Filipek won the 50 yard Free and Axana Merckx won the 200 yard Back to round out the other wins for the Cats.
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Tara DeLucia Johnson
Kate Gormsen thanks for the heads up!