The women of USC and UCLA showed up to swim at the final dual meet of the season for each Pac-12 squad. Among numerous season and lifetime-bests was a nation-leading 9:33 in the 1000 free from sophomore Chelsea Chenault.
That swim came in the first individual event, where Chenault was matched up with UCLA’s rising distance star Katy Campbell. Chenault broke away early to crush a 9:33.87, the fastest time in the NCAA this season by a whopping 3.5 seconds.
That should make for some interesting post-season lineup choices for USC coach Dave Salo. Chenault swam the 200 fly and not the 1650 free last year, but if she can extend that kind of 1000 speed to the mile, it might make sense to move her into that event for the postseason.
Chenault would also go on to win the 500 free in 4:40.70.
Also impressive was Trojan freshman Hannah Weiss. The former KING Aquatic Club standout hit lifetime-bests in both backstrokes while winning both events. Weiss was 51.92 in the 100, which checks in at 7th in the NCAA this year. Her 1:53.83 in the 200 back was also a personal best.
Though USC swam lights out the whole way, the Bruins put up a tough fight to keep things close in the early goings.
Noelle Tarazona won the 200 fly, leading a 1-2-3 sweep for the Bruins to overcome a big USC lead at that point. Tarazona was 1:55.20.
That swim was sandwiched between two very tight finishes. In the 100 breast, USC’s Andrea Kropp was 59.60, just barely nipping UCLA’s Allison Wine (59.70). Those were season-bests for both ladies. Kropp would go on to win the 200 breast in 2:08.97.
Right after the 200 fly, Kasia Wilk of USC met Linnea Mack of UCLA in the 50. It was the Trojan who took home the narrow win, going 22.37 to Mack’s 22.53. Wilk then won the 100 free in 48.97.
UCLA swept diving with Maria Polyakova, but USC went on a tear late to seal the meet. Jasmine Tosky (200 free: 1:46.31/400 IM: 4:11.25) also won twice for the Trojans to cap a 174.5-125.5 win.
WOW! Fast times!!! This is a different USC from 2 weeks ago up in the bay area!! UCLA looked sharp too in several events…. looking forward to Pac12s and NCs 🙂
Post-meet interview with Stina Gardell
http://pac-12.com/videos/post-meet-interview-usc-womens-swimming-and-diving-stina-gardell-ucla
Video recap of the meet
http://pac-12.com/videos/recap-usc-womens-swimming-and-diving-beats-crosstown-rival-ucla
Yes! Kendyl Stewart’s 51.25 deserved at least a little mention. Impressive time.
She’s the best American of the moment in the 100 fly and is on track to make big things in the coming months. She’s the girl who can follow in the footsteps of the great Dana Vollmer for the US women’s 100 fly. Good news for the US medley relay too.
Very good times overall.
Nice to see the times accelerate during that college season.
It starts to smell the championship season! 😎
I’m guessing that at least USC was suited up. Anyone know for sure?
Also, someone probably should have written about the 51.2 100 fly. That’s probably the fastest time ever in a dual meet.
In the races that I saw, everyone had the fancy suits on. The weather looked remarkable as well compared to what we’re going through here in New England.
The 100Br times were really fast too; where did those come from? Didn’t see that coming from these girls yet in just a dual meet, unshaved/tapered; championship meet? Yes definitely! But in a dual meet? Really, really FAST!!! Hat’s off to Andrea and Allison!
Yes, the weather in LA….
😯
You are lucky. 🙂
So great to watch the Women of Troy rock the pool today on Pac12 TV! The swimming was so fast, the new Aquatics Center looks amazing and USC campus looked like a movie set. Congrats on a great win and wishing you continued success as you look forward to Pac12’s and NCAA’s. Fight on! You go girls!