Division I Meet of the Week: Cal, Stanford Men Gear Up for Rivalry

Bryce Mefford. Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble

Division I Meet of the Week.

The Cal-Stanford rivalry saw a good dual meet by the women’s teams last week, now this week, it is time for the men’s meet, which is also the Division I Meet of the Week.

The women’s rivalry has been a little closer of late, with Stanford and Cal being ranked as the top two teams for much of the past three seasons. They were both top five teams according to the latest College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of American (CSCAA) poll.

The Cal men are the defending NCAA champions and currently ranked No. 2 in the CSCAA poll. Stanford is ranked No. 19.

But no matter where the rankings are, this is perhaps the best college rivalry in swimming, which is why it is an easy choice for Division I Meet of the Week.

Both teams are extremely close in proximity, have Olympic coaches running the program, have an academically elite school and produce elite swimmers on a regular basis.
Both teams are undefeated in dual meets.
Both teams are coming off of a win over No. 18 USC.

Alex Liang will be looking to help Stanford upset Cal in the Division I meet of the week. Photo Courtesy: Donna Nelson

Stanford’s Benjamin Ho won three events, highlighted by a win in the 100-yard backstroke (48.21) while also contributing to victories in the 200-yard medley relay (1:28.39) and 200-yard freestyle relay (1:22.32).

Alex Liang chipped in with two individual victories, winning the 200-yard backstroke (1:47.29) and 200-yard individual medley (1:49.65).

Cal is coming off of a double win, topping No. 18 USC, and UC-San Diego, the top team in Division II.

Zheng Quah and Reece Whitley anchored Cal’s performance with 18 points apiece. Quah won both butterfly events, touching the wall in 46.76 in the 100 fly and 1:43.95 in the 200 fly, while Whitley swept the breaststroke races (53.22 in the 100 breast; 1:54.64 in the 200 breast). Both swimmers also won the 200 medley relay as they paired with Daniel Carr and Michael Jensen for a 1:26.11 finish.

Other individual victories over USC were earned by Sean Grieshop in the 500 free (4:24.65), Ryan Hoffer in the 50 free (19.64), Jensen in the 100 free (44.41), Trenton Julian in the 1000 free (9:02.88) and Bryce Mefford in the 100 back (47.18).

The Golden Bears are definitely the favorite on paper, but that won’t take away any of the excitement heading into this rivalry in the Division I Meet of the Week.

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