Cal Women Upend Washington State In Home Opener

MEET FACTS

• Full Results
• Hosted by California
• Friday, October 21st
• 25 yards
• Final Score: Cal 155, WSU 97

The Cal Golden Bear women opened their home schedule with a decisive win over the Washington State Cougars by a score of 155-97.

Cal opened their season on the road earlier this month with a win over Oregon State and now sits with a perfect 2-0 record. Washington State is now 0-2 after opening their season with two very difficult opponents, as they faced #6 USC in their opener at the end of September.

Cal dominated throughout the meet, claiming 13 of 14 events. They were led by senior Celina Li, who won three individual events. Li took home the 200 fly (2:00.15), 200 breast (2:16.13) and the 400 IM (4:16.25).

The meet was also the first home meet for two-time 2016 Olympic medalist Abbey Weitzeil, who picked up a big win in the 50 free (22.26) and anchored both the 200 free and 200 medley relays to victory.

Along with Weitzeil, first year swimmers Chenoa Devine and Courtney Mykkanen picked up wins in the 500 free (4:53.91) and 200 back (2:00.22), respectively.

The lone winner for the Cougars was freshman Angela Mavrantza, who took the 100 breast event in 1:04.01. Mavrantza also had an impressive showing in the 200 breast, just getting out-touched by Celina Li en route to a quick time of 2:16.73.

Freshman Ryan Falk also impressed, placing 2nd in the 1000 free and 400 IM.

*Note: Washington State reports in their press release that they broke their 200 free relay school record by 20 seconds, clocking 1:11.40. This was a timing error, as that was posted as their official time but was actually just their split at the 150 yard mark.

PRESS RELEASES

Cal

BERKELEY – With a blend of success from veterans and freshmen alike, the Cal women’s swimming & diving team kicked off its home schedule with a comfortable 155-97 victory over Washington State Friday at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

The Golden Bears claimed 13 of 14 events, led by triple-winner and senior Celina Li, who placed first in the 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard breaststroke and 400-yard individual medley.

Several of Cal’s new faces also fared well with freshmen Abbey Weitzeil, Courtney Mykkanenand Chenoa Devine also picking up victories in their first meet in Berkeley. Weitzeil, a two-time medalist at the Rio Olympics, is the American-record holder in the 50 freestyle and showed why with an impressive 22.26 time in the event. She also anchored the opening 200 medley relay to victory and swam a leg of the winning 200 free relay.

Mykkanen, meanwhile, won the 200 backstroke in 2:00.22, and Devine cruised to a win in the 500 free in 4:53.91.

“Chenoa and Courtney swam well and are going to be really valuable to how we do overall this year,” McKeever said. “I think just getting them comfortable with the format of a dual meet is important. I’m really pleased with what they’re doing.”

McKeever also noted she was impressed with the performance of sophomore Jenna Campbell, who earned a victory in the 200 free in 1:49.86.

“What a transformation for her from her freshman year,” McKeever said. “It’s so fun to see someone feeling more comfortable in the pool.”

Others winners on the afternoon were Katie McLaughlin (1000 free), Kristen Vredeveld (100 back), Farida Osman (100 fly) and Noemie Thomas (100 fly).

Washington State

BERKELEY, Calif. – The Washington State swim team concluded its road trip, falling to No. 9 California, 155-97, at the Spieker Aquatics Complex. A record-breaking performance in the 200 free relay, along with top finishes by a pair of freshmen in the 100 breast, 200 breast and1000 free, highlighted the Cougars’ afternoon.

“That was a very good Cougar performance today,” Cougar Head Coach Tom Jager said. “We had some great swims by all the classes. Hannah (Bruggman) in the junior class was great in the sprints. Kendra (Griffin) had some of the fastest splits. Ciera (Kelly) was a standout in the sprints and finished her day strong. Make sure you come out and watch us next Saturday against UCLA.”

The Cougars 200 free relay team finished second in a tightly contested race, breaking the school record in the process. The team of Hannah Bruggman, Anna Rosen, Hailey Johnson, and Haley Rose Love notched the fastest time in school history, clocking in at 1:11.40, 20 seconds faster than the previous record set during the 2014-2015 season.

Freshman Angela Mavrantza impressed in the 100 breast clocking in at 1:04.01, just out-touching California’s Maija Roses for the top spot. The win marks the second victory of Mavrantza’s young career. The Athens, Greece, native then broke into the WSU All-Time Top 10 with a second-place finish in the 200 breast. Her time of 2:16.73 put her in a tie with current teammate Addisynn Bursch for seventh on the list.

Fellow freshman Ryan Falk added a second-place finish in the 1000 free. Her time of 10:11.26 placed her fourth on the WSU All-Time Top 10 list.

“Angela (Mavrantza) was great today,” Jager said. “She is getting more comfortable every week and it is showing with some great racing. Ryan (Falk) is one tough kid. She gave it her all and had a great meet.”

In the 200 fly, senior Elise Locke touched the wall with a time of 2:01.76 to secure second place. Fellow senior Kendra Griffin followed Locke with a 2:03.73.

Bruggman placed third in the 100 free with a time of 51.61, and later finished third in the 100 free with a 51.61. Love also added a third-place finish in the 100 back touching the wall at 57.07

The Cougars return home to Gibb Pool, Saturday, Oct. 29 taking on No. 17 UCLA at 11 a.m.

AB