Stanford sophomore Ella Eastin won a tight dual with Cal’s Kathleen Baker to win her second straight Pac-12 title in the 200 IM Thursday night, but she couldn’t hold off teammate Katie Ledecky in the 400 IM Friday as Ledecky set a new American record in the event.
After the race, Eastin spoke with Swimming World about how she competes against Baker in the 200 IM and how it felt to watch Ledecky go right by her in the 400 IM final. Eastin also reacted to teammate Allie Szekely’s breakout effort in the 400 IM and Ally Howe’s surprising American record in the 100 back.
Eastin also looked ahead to Saturday’s race in the 200 fly where she could go up against longtime friend and fellow Southern California-native Katie McLaughlin. Eastin explained why she was looking forward to racing McLaughlin after the Cal sophomore was slowed by an injury last season.
Ella Eastin is a class act. I’m such a fan.
Important to recognize your ‘strengths’=Key word=”my race plan”.
You and your teammates support each other, Team players. The younger ones’ will learn from all of you that have prior comp. experience.
Cool to share your experience leading to the ‘stage’.
What a TEAM!