ATHENS, Georgia, November 1. THE #2-ranked Georgia Bulldogs beat the #4-ranked Golden Bears of Cal, 163-129 tonight in Athens, Gorgia, in a stirring women's dual meet between two of the nation's top swimming powers.<\/p>\n
The Dawgs' victory was accomplished in spite of an awesome effort by Cal junior Natalie Coughlin, who won three individual events, all in nation-leading times.<\/p>\n
Coughlin, the only woman ever to break a minute for 100 meters backstroke, began her triple with a speedy 53.62 win in the 100 yard backstroke. <\/p>\n
Then she got better.<\/p>\n
She followed up with a 51.90 second performance to take the 100 yard butterfly — a time only a handful of women have ever bettered, and that's when they've been rested and shaved.<\/p>\n
Then she got bettered.<\/p>\n
The 100 free pitted Cal's Coughlin against Georgia's Maritza Correia – the two fastest women in history in this event. Until last season's NCAAs, Jenny Thompson owned the American record in the 100 free at 47.61. Correia won the 100 in a record 47.56, but Coughlin came back to post a 47.47 leading off Cal's relay.<\/p>\n
Tonight it was all Coughlin, as she swam to a sterling 48.06 time. Correia was hardly a slouch, swimming 48.94 — the second-fastest 100 thus far this season.<\/p>\n
We'll have full results for y'all later tonight.<\/p>\n
–Phil Whitten<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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