UCLA Club Sports

Hosting a dozen universities this past week for a swimming invitational at Spieker Aquatic Center, the UCLA Club Swim team returned to action for the first time in over a year with a bang. Over 20 Bruins secured qualifying times for this spring's Nationals competition in Atlanta as the UCLA women closed out the meet third overall and the men placed fifth. 

Both squads combined for a fourth place team finish. 

Cal Poly won the combined team competition, with the Mustangs topping the women's field with 564 total points. UC San Diego took home the men's title with 657 points.

Led on the women's side by Isabelle Jones, Brianna Martilla and Natalie Quilala, the Bruin women chalked up 461 points. Waxing the field in the 50 free, Jones won the sprint with a 25.57 burst. Martilla clocked-in third in both the 200 IM (2.21.94) and 200 free (2:02.47), while Quilala was third in the 50 fly (27.98) and 100 back (1:04.45). Helping the UCLA men to 195 points, Eric Lau touched second in the 50 fly (23.97). Jordan Krestul and Nick Millkey also churned out sensational swims in the 50 back.

For Lau, a sophomore, and many of the 400-plus additional athletes on hand, the invitational served as their first competition since 2019.

"I was excited to race again," Lau said. "But I quickly found out how draining just a few events were." 

Bruins securing Nationals cuts included: Martilla (200 free, 100 free, 200 IM, 100 IM); Elanor Casey (200 free, 100 breast, 50 breast, 500 free); Katie Stone (200 free, 100 back); Amanda Younes (200 free, 500 free); Elena Dworak (100 breast, 50 breast, 200 IM);  Isabella Taylor (50 breast); Ben Liu (100 breast, 50 breast); Colton Harrison (50 breast); Megan Jones (100 fly); Christine Wu (100 fly, 50 fly); Lau (100 fly, 50 fly, 100 back, 100 IM); George Monday (100 fly, 200 IM, 100 IM); Sebastien Fouilloux (200 fly, 100 fly); Isabelle Jones (50 free, 100 free); Fotini Ioannides (50 free); Quilala (50 fly, 100 back); Hana Song (100 back, 100 IM); Helen Senchev (100 back, 50 back); Nick Millkey (50 back); Jordan Krestul (50 back) and Marisa Duran (100 breast).

"It felt amazing to compete again with my friends and see so many other teams," added Martilla, who achieved four Nationals time standards. "I loved the upbeat atmosphere of our board members and all the swimmers. Our team did very well. The relays were also a good way for me to get to know my teammates better and race together."

Other colleges in attendance included: Grand Canyon University, UC Berkeley, USC, Arizona State, Oregon, UC Irvine, UC Davis and Cal State San Marcos.

The Bruins tentatively plan to host another invitational in January before hitting the road for a travel meet come February.

Combined Team Scores:
1. Cal Poly - 1114
2. Grand Canyon -1036.5 
3. UC San Diego - 1018.5 
4. UCLA - 656      


Men
1. UC San Diego - 657
2. Cal Poly - 550 
3. Grand Canyon - 488 
5. UCLA - 195     


Women
1. Cal Poly - 564
2. Grand Canyon - 548.5 
3. UCLA - 461