California, Florida Top Conference Rivals in Weekend Duals

By Emily Sampl

BOULDER, Colorado, January 22. THIS weekend's slate of college dual meets featured several intriguing matchups between conference rivals, with plenty of fast times and upsets taking place. Here are a few highlights from the past three days of racing.

Arizona and California, two of the top teams in the Pac-12 and the entire country, faced off in Berkeley on Friday, with the Cal women and Arizona men coming out on top. Junior Caitlin Leverenz won three events for the Bears, including the 200 fly (1:57.18), 200 breast (2:11.25) and 400 IM (4:09.51). Cory Chitwood led the Wildcat men with two individual victories in the 200 back (1:42.00) and 400 IM (3:48.74).

The Wildcats continued their California road trip on Saturday with a trip to Stanford. The Stanford women held on for a 164-136 win, while the Arizona men won their second meet of the weekend by only eight points, 153-145. Samantha Woodward (50 free, 22.51, and 100 fly, 53.49) and Maya DiRado (200 back, 1:56.82, and 200 IM, 1:59.87) each won two events apiece to pace the Stanford women. Carl Mickelson won the men's 100 (53.97) and 200 breast (1:57.32) to lead the top-ranked Arizona men.

Meanwhile, the Florida Gators celebrated senior day in Gainesville by beating Auburn on Saturday. The men held on to win the final relay and triumphed by just six points, 153-47, while the women held a comfortable 162-136 advantage. Florida sophomore Elizabeth Beisel collected three first place finishes during the long course meet, with wins in the 100 back (1:03.16), 200 back (2:12.79) and 200 IM (2:17.59). Teammate Marcin Cieslak also contributed three individual victories to the Gators' cause, posting the fastest time of the day in the 200 fly (2:01.18), 100 fly (54.86) and 200 IM (2:05.08).

Atlantic Coast Conference rivals North Carolina and Virginia met in Chapel Hill on Saturday, and for the first time since 2008, the North Carolina men came out on top, 166-134. On the women's side, Virginia earned a 170-130 win. Dominick Glavich (200 fly, 1:46.79, 100 fly, 49.09, and 200 IM, 1:50.99) led the Tar Heels with three wins. Lauren Perdue (50 free, 22.97, and 100 free, 50.22) and Charlotte Clarke (100 back, 54.53, and 200 back, 1:59.78) had two wins each for the Cavalier women.

For complete results from all of the meets this weekend, check out the College Channel.

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