California’s Cindy Tran Smokes 100 Back at Pacific 12s; Breaks 51 Seconds

FEDERAL WAY, Washington, February 24. FOLLOWING in the footsteps of teammate Caitlin Leverenz's sterling time in the women's 400-yard IM earlier in the evening, California's Cindy Tran broke the 51-second barrier in the women's 100-yard backstroke at the Pacific 12 Swimming and Diving Championships.

Tran blasted a time of 50.65, breaking her lifetime best of 51.22 set last year at the Pacific 10 Championships, and became just the fourth swimmer under 51 seconds in swimming lore. She moved to third in the history of the event behind Natalie Coughlin (49.97) and Gemma Spofforth (50.46), while being ahead of future teammate Rachel Bootsma (50.76). That's three Golden Bears out of the top four all time.

Event 12 Women 100 Yard Backstroke
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Pac 10: P 49.97 2002 Natalie Coughlin, California
Pac 10 Meet: M 51.22 2011 Cindy Tran, CAL
NCAA: N 49.97 3/22/2002 Natalie Coughlin, California
52.55 NCAA
55.17 CONS
Name Year School Prelims Finals Points
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=== A – Final ===

1 Tran, Cindy SO CAL 51.56 50.65MNCAA 32
r:+0.59 24.32 50.65 (26.33)

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