No. 1 Cal Breaks Down Washington State, 158-102

BERKELEY, California, October 28. TOP-ranked California opened Pac-10 competition with a 158-102 dual-meet victory over Washington State on Saturday at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Golden Bears, who won 11 of 14 events, improved their record to 4-0 (1-0 Pac-10), while the Cougars suffered their first loss to fall to 4-1 (0-1).

There was no diving in today's meet.

Cal senior Lauren Andrews was the only Bear who won multiple individual events, capturing the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 56.76 seconds and the 200 backstroke in 2:01.22. Both times were season bests for Andrews. Her 200 time was an NCAA B qualifying mark.

Washington State senior Erin McCleave won the distance events, swimming a 10:04.04 to take the 1000 freestyle and notching a 4:56.18 to win the 500 free.

Bears senior Erin Reilly, who took second place in the 200 free at the 2006 NCAA Championships, won the 200 free today in a time of 1:50.03 (NCAA B time). Senior teammate Annie Babicz won the 200 butterfly in a time of 2:04.25, edging Washington State freshman Michaela Ahlin (2:04.47).

Other individual Cal winners included junior Emily Silver in the 50 free (23.61), freshman Alexandra Ellis in the 200 breaststroke (2:17.26, NCAA B), sophomore Jessica Hardy in the 100 fly (56.49), freshman Heather White in the 400 individual medley (4:23.69) and freshman Amanda Larson in the 100 free (52.65). Cal freshmen swept the top three spots in the 100 free, as, after Larson, Blake Hayter was second (53.28) and Courtney Eronemo was third (53.33).

"It was a fair performance, and we have a bunch of things to work on," Cal assistant coach Johan Steiner said. "We had a few good swims. Lauren Andrews definitely had a solid 100 backstroke and 200 back as well. Heather White's 400 IM was solid. Annie had a good race and a good fight in that 200 fly.

"And Jessica Hardy had a pretty solid 100 fly. She's working on more than just the 100 breaststroke, and her focus on what to improve on in the 100 breaststroke is carrying through to her other events, and she's getting much stronger in those other events."

Washington State senior Monika Povilonyte won the Cougars' third race, the 100 breaststroke (1:05.40).

The Bears won relays to start and end the meet. The Cal A squad of Andrews, Ellis, freshman Courtney Eronemo and Hardy opened the day by taking first place in the 400-medley relay (3:48.63) and the Cal A team of sophomore Lauren Rogers, Silver, Hardy and Hayter closed the meet by winning the 400-free relay (3:27.31).

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