As the defending two-time national champions, the Cal women’s swimming team always has a target on its back.
On Friday, after eight weeks’ break from competitive swimming, the Bears forgot, and the Wildcats took their aim.
“Arizona was definitely ready to go,” associate head coach Kristen Cunnane said. “We’re the defending national champions, so every team that we come up against (is) going to be ready to put their best foot forward, and we weren’t quite as ready.”
Still rusty from almost two months without competition, the Bears split this weekend’s meets, coming away with their first Pac-12 and dual meet loss.
Traveling to captain Caitlin Leverenz’s hometown of Tucson, Ariz., the No. 3 Bears fell to No. 6 Arizona, 168.5-112.5. Cal fared better in
Tempe the next day against No. 20 Arizona State, defeating the Sun Devils 177-121.
On Friday, Leverenz won two individual events in the 100 and 200 breast in front of the crowd at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center that included her friends and family.
“It’s always fun for me to go home and compete in Tucson because my family gets to be there and friends and people I grew up with,” Leverenz said.
“That makes it kind of fun for me to look up and see my family in the stands.”
Despite the initial excitement, the Bears got off to a slow start, losing the first three events on Friday.
“We struggled a bit getting back into the mode of racing and just we came in not as prepared as we would’ve liked,” Cunnane said. “But I think we definitely learned a good lesson and we competed much better (Saturday).”
In the contest, the Bears lost both relays to the Wildcats but came away with some individual wins. Across the board against Arizona, however, Cal posted slower times than its best.
Losing a dual meet has no concrete effects on the Bears’ season and chances of getting to the NCAAs. They will likely fall in rank, but entrance into the NCAAs is entirely based on times and not on rank.
At this point in the season, Cal is still building up to the NCAAs and has plenty of opportunities to make qualifying times, especially when pushed by a strong team like USC at its upcoming dual meet and at the Pac-12 championships.
The Bears bounced back from Friday’s disappointing meet to defeat Arizona State on Saturday. Cal took first and second in both the 200 medley and 200 free relays and won 10 out of 16 events.
The Bears still have their toughest dual meets ahead of them with No. 1 USC this weekend.
With this past weekend’s disappointing results, the Bears are looking to put this behind them and be better prepared for USC.
“I think having these two meets were good for getting our feet wet,” Cunnane said.
“USC’s arguably the best team in the country, so we are going to use this week to rest and get reset to compete on Friday.”
Jessica Lim covers women’s swim. Contact her at [email protected]