The Stanford women\u2019s swim team utterly dominated the second night of the NCAA championships.<\/p>\n

Katie Ledecky, Simone Manuel<\/strong> and Ella Eastin<\/strong> cruised to victories in their individual events, but it was the relays that put a stamp on the Cardinal dominance Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.<\/p>\n

The 4×100 medley relay won for the fifth consecutive season and seniors Janet Hu<\/strong> and Ally Howe<\/strong> have had an unprecedented piece of that performance, being a part of all four national titles in the event during their college careers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it is something really special,\u201d Hu said. \u201cWe are two of three people who have done that on a relay at Stanford.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is definitely always fun to do something like that with Janet,\u201d Howe said. \u201cI know she is going to throw down a killer fly split and I try to do that in backstroke. Definitely special to do something like that with Janet \u2014\u00a0especially our last relay.\u201d<\/p>\n

And they fittingly did it on the same pool deck where they met for the first time and realized just how much they had in common. They have so many connections that date back to birth \u2014\u00a0yes birth. Yes, they have the exact same birthday. They both are butterfly and backstroke specialists and chose Stanford.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe met at Ohio State at 2010 winter nationals and we were behind the blocks. I don\u2019t know why we were talking about birthdays, but it was like, \u2018Your birthday is Tuesday? Mine too!\u201d Hu said. \u201cThat was pretty cool. Being able to end our last meet together is really coming full circle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been great having Janet these past four years, especially someone else as a training partner. She pushes me to be the best I can,\u201d Howe said.<\/p>\n

Both Hu and Howe have been integral in leading the Cardinal into national title contention their entire careers and were part of the pinnacle season last year.<\/p>\n

This year, they have already put their stamp on the meet being a part of two winning relays Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just wanted to keep the ball rolling,\u201d Hu said. \u201cSeeing our teammates do well definitely gave us confidence going into the last relay.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Friday, they will swim the 100 back together. Both have been under 50.00 sometime in the past two seasons. It will likely take a repeat performance to win this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I have to get out fast,\u201d Howe said. \u201cI know I have always been solid the second 50, but if I can hang on and push those underwaters \u2014\u00a0and I have the best underwaterer in the country next to me. So if I can just utilize my Janet Hu underwaters, hopefully I can have a good swim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have the double for the last time. Sot it is just about staying focused and staying in my own race,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The dominating Thursday that saw the Cardinal win all five swimming events on the night still leaves two days remaining on Stanford\u2019s march toward a repeat title.<\/p>\n