No. 2 Bears Host No. 20 USC On Friday
Catharyn Hayne /KLC photos
On Friday, the Golden Bears will welcome the Trojans to a Pac-12 doubles meet at the Spieker Aquatics Center.
Bears and Trojans are streamed on Pac-12 Insider
BERKELEY – The second-placed California men’s swim and dive team returns to the Spieker Aquatics Center on Friday to host USC No. 20. The Golden Bears and Trojans are scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start time and will be streamed on Pac-12 Insider, with Ben Ross announcing the action live poolside. Friday’s meeting will be the penultimate doubles meet of the season for the Bears.
FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY
Cal vs. USC | 2:00 p.m. PT | Adventure Pool Spieker | Berkeley, California
Live Stream: Pac-12 Insiders
Talent: Ben Ross (Play by Play)
THE LAST TIME IN THE POOL
Last time out in Arizona, the Bears earned a split. Cal defeated Arizona 187-98 in Tucson. The next day, the Bears fell to No. 1 Arizona State 211-87 in Tempe. Cal also fielded a contingent of bears at the Triton Invitational hosted by UC San Diego. The Bears put on tremendous performances against the Wildcats Destiny Lasco and Gabriel Jett who won four individual events together. The following day, the Bears again showed a strong performance from Lasco, who was victorious in the 100m and 200m backstroke.
TOP TIMES
Heading into February, the bears rank in the top 10 in the country at several events. Junior Bjorn Seeliger among the top 5 at 50 freestyle (18.87), 100 freestyle (41.68), 50 backstroke (20.73), and 100 backstroke (45.23). Lasco is national second in both 100 backstroke (44.88) and 200 backstroke (1:39.09). Lasco is also third in the 200 medley (1:41.52) and seventh in the 100 IM (48.52). Jett is eighth nationally in the 200 free (1:32.41). Dare Rose Is third in the 200 Butterfly (1:41.01) and eighth in the 100 Fly (45.30). Reece Whitley is third best in the 100 breaststroke (51.51) and seventh in the 200 breaststroke (1:52.16).
RETURN OF A CHAMPION
When the Bears traveled to Arizona late last month, Cal witnessed the return of a national champion. Graduate student Hugo González returned to competition for the Bears in Arizona. The reigning national champion in the 400 IM helped the Bears win the 200 Free relay against the Wildcats and also finished fifth in the 200 Free and 100 Fly. Against Arizona State, he finished fifth in the 100 backstroke and 400 IM and sixth in the 200 backstroke.
IN THE RANKINGS
The Golden Bears opened the year at No. 1 in the CSCAA preseason poll. In the last poll, the bears came second and got a first place. Cal is 17 points behind No. 1 State Arizona (449 points). To round out the top 5, Florida, NC State, Texas, and Ohio State rank fifth.
AGAINST THE TROJANS
Friday is the 81stSt Time have coordinated the two programs. All-time, USC holds a 49-31 advantage in the series. However, under head coach Dave Durden, the Bears are 14-1 against USC. Last time out, Cal defeated the Trojans 198.5-94.5 at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center in Los Angeles.
STAY UP TO DATE
For full coverage of Cal Men’s swimming and diving, please follow the bears on Twitter (@CalMenSwim), Instagram (@CalMenSwim) and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalMensSwimmingandDiving).
