After a convincing performance to kick off the fall season, Cal women’s swim is aiming to keep trimming its times in the key meets that lie ahead. With the midyear Georgia Fall Invitational two months away, the Bears need to be at their best when the first opportunity to post NCAA qualifying times arrives.
Between now and Nov. 29, however, Cal will conclude its preseason preparation and compete in its first dual meets of the season.
The Bears will conclude their early-season tour with a two-day trip to Fresno for the annual Chick-Fil-A Invitational this weekend. Washington State, San Jose State, San Diego State, Fresno State and Air Force are the five teams slated to take on Cal, three of which (the Aztecs, Spartans and Bulldogs) competed in last year’s event.
To say the Bears looked comfortable at last year’s event would be a huge understatement — they claimed 16 of 20 events and tallied 1,318.5 points, nearly double the 677 points put together by second-place San Diego State.
Throughout last season, Cal moved its top talent to less familiar events while providing underclassmen with chances to acclimate themselves to college swimming. With the first dual meet of the season against Utah just four days after the Bears return from Fresno, fans should expect similar, safety-minded lineup moves from head coach Teri McKeever.
The Bears will need to ensure that their strongest swimmers are healthy and rested for both the upcoming dual meets and the Georgia Fall Invitational.
Cal intends to not underestimate a new face to the meet, fellow Pac-12 program Washington State. The Bears are scheduled for a dual meet against the Cougars on Nov. 3, and a strong performance this weekend will demonstrate Cal’s readiness for its head-to-head meeting in Washington.
Despite the addition of a divisional competitor to the fight card, the Bears travel to Fresno as clear favorites to secure another victory. Relay dominance has become the norm for Cal, which swept all three relays in last year’s meet. Individually, sophomore Sarah Darcel will be one to watch.
The Canadian won both the 200-yard and 400-yard individual medley events last year as a freshman, finishing nearly five seconds ahead of Olympian Kathleen Baker in the 400 medley.
Out of the pool, three Bears have been nominated for the USA Swimming Golden Goggles Awards, which will be presented Nov. 19. Now-professional Kathleen Baker was nominated for Female Athlete of the Year and Race of the Year with her world-record 100-meter backstroke. Senior Katie McLaughlin was nominated for the Perseverance Award, while Teri McKeever is in the conversation for Coach of the Year.
McKeever’s 27 decorated seasons at Cal will be commemorated at the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame induction Oct. 26. Under McKeever, the Bears have won four NCAA championships and four Pac-12 championships.
