UCLA Smashes Arizona State, 178-116

LOS ANGELES, California, November 10. THE UCLA Bruin swim and diving team scored a convincing victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils on Friday afternoon in Pac-10 dual meet action. The Bruins, keyed by sweeps in the one-meter diving competition, 200 Breaststroke and 500 Freestyles, defeated ASU 178-116.

In all, UCLA picked up five swimming NCAA Championship qualifying marks and two NCAA Zone qualifiers, as the Bruins won 12 of the 16 events during the meet.

Senior Katie Nelson, junior Nicolette Teo and sophomore Anna Poteete led the Bruins with double event wins, while seniors Katie Arnold, Sara Clark and Amy Thurman, junior Shannon Hackett and sophomore Marisa Samaniego won individual events.

It was a Bruin sweep in the 200 Breaststroke as Teo led the way, swimming an NCAA "B" time of 2:15.00 for first-place. Senior Jeana Fuccillo was second in a time of 2:18.07 and junior Chiemi Yamamoto was third (2:19.64). Teo also won the 100 Breast, swimming an NCAA "B" qualifying time of 1:02.75, while Fuccillo was second (1:04.57).

"Nicolette had such an inspirational performance today and it really fired up our team," said Swim Coach Cyndi Gallagher. "She was amazing today and she has been training hard and consistently, and it paid off today."

Nelson won the 1000 Freestyle by 10 seconds, swimming 9:59.02, while Yamamoto was second in 10:09.24. Nelson also won the 500 Freestyle in an NCAA "B" time of 4:53.55. Sisters Jane (4:59.09) and Julie (5:00.46) Imagane finished second and third respectively capping off a Bruin sweep in that event.

"Nelson can always be counted on to come up with a "W"," noted Gallagher.

Poteete won the 200 Freestyle in an NCAA "B" time of 1:51.44, while sophomore Silke Nowotzin was third (1:53.23). Poteete also won the 100 Free in a time of 50.75.

Arnold, in her first meet back since shoulder surgery, won the 100 Backstroke in a time of 56.66. In the 200 Back, sophomore Madeleine Stanton won, swimming 2:02.82 and senior Courtney Iversen was second with a time of 2:05.08.

"It was great to have Arnold finally back, and it was good to see her come out and win today."

Hackett won the 200 Butterfly in a time of 2:03.99, while Imagane was second in 2:04.34. Senior Amy Thurman finished second in the 100 Fly (56.57), while freshman Kirsten Byers was third (57.42).

"So many people stepped up today, from Anna to Shannon and Madeleine, and it was great to see this team perform well. Our seniors – Jane, Courtney, Jeana, Luisa and Amy did great today, and their leadership really helps this team."

The 200 Medley Relay team of Arnold, Teo, A. Thurman and Poteete set a new meet record, winning the event in a time of 1:42.40 (NCAA "B" Standard). The previous record had been set by ASU in 2000 (1:42.64).

In one-meter diving action, it was a Bruin sweep as Samaniego led the way with a first-place finish (273.97). Senior Sara Clark was second (270.75), while senior Amanda Blong was third (266.10). Sophomores Brittany Hill (248.47) and Shannon Pirozzi (205.65) competed as exhibitions.

Clark notched a win on three-meter with a score of 307.05, while Samaniego was third with a total of 285.23 points. Blong was fourth (277.43) and Hill (235.13) and Pirozzi (199.42) were exhibition.

Both Samaniego and Clark picked up NCAA Zone qualifying marks on Friday, with Samaniego on 1M and Clark on 3M.

"This was a huge performance for our divers," said Dive Coach Tom Stebbins. "Sara (Clark) hit pretty much everything, and although Marisa and Amanda missed some of their dives, it was really great to see them in the ballpark knowing we have so much room to improve. I couldn't be more proud of these girls."

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