UCLA swept all three women's relays Saturday as the Bruins coasted to a first-place finish at Spieker Aquatic Center.
Led by graduate student Yifan Mao, who won both the 200 free (2:04.25) and 100 back (1:06.45), the UCLA women chalked up 844 points at the team's Winter Invitational. Visiting USC finished second with 698.5 and UC Irvine followed in third with 144.5.
A former University of Chicago swimmer, Mao says joining the club swim team has been one of the highlights of her UCLA experience:
"I love how welcoming and supportive everyone is," Mao shared. "I am so excited to see what the women's team can do at Nationals!"
With Ben Liu topping the field in the 50 breast (27.96) and Joey Pasarello winning the 100 back (1:00.66), the Bruin men finished third, behind USC (951.5) and Santa Clara (435.5).
Other Bruin event winners included Carly Marshall in the 50 breast (32.66); Helen Senchev in the 200 back (2:26.05); Elena Dworak in the 200 breast (2:44.62) and Katie Stone in the 50 back (30.13).
Among second place swims were Mao's 25.81 performance in the 50 free, Marshall's 2:20.77 effort in the 200 IM, Brianna Martilla in the women's 100 back (1:07.37), Dworak's 100 IM (1:10.59) and Junae Huynh's 100 breast (1:17.01).
With plans to send more than 25 swimmers to Atlanta next month, the Bruins will now shift their focus to training for the Collegiate Club Swimming National Championships. The event will be held April 8-10 at Georgia Tech's legendary McAuley Aquatic Center – the host facility for the 1996 Olympic Games and 2022 NCAA Division I Swimming Championships.
Last week, the club swim team also concluded its Spark fundraising campaign for Nationals, meeting its goal of $5,500. More than 100 individual donors contributed to the Bruin campaign, which will help to offset students' travel and lodging costs.
Thank you so much to all of our friends, family, alumni, and members who pitched in to make this happen - we couldn't do it without you! With just over a month left before Nationals, our swimmers are hard at work training and preparing for the meet. Stay tuned for more updates as Nationals approaches!
Thank you again for all your help and hard work and Go Bruins!
Gallery: (3-9-2022) SWIM WINTER INVITE 2022
FINAL SCORES:
Combined
1. USC 1650
2. UCLA 1255.5
3. Santa Clara University 482.5
4. Grand Canyon University 305.5
5. UC Irvine 196.5
6. Claremont Colleges 143
7. UC Riverside 84
8. Cal State San Marcos 3
Women
1. UCLA 844
2. USC 698.5
3. UC Irvine 144.5
4. Claremont Colleges 143
5. Grand Canyon University 100
6. Santa Clara University 47
7. Cal State San Marcos 3
Men
1. USC 951.5
2. Santa Clara University 435.5
3. UCLA 411.5
4. Grand Canyon University 205.5
5. UC Riverside 84
6. UC Irvine 52
UCLA EVENT WINNERS:
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UCLA women's 200 medley relay (1:57.76)
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UCLA women's 200 free relay (1:45.76)
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UCLA women's 400 free relay (4:39.45
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Yifan Mao, women's 200 free (2:04.25)
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Yifan Mao, women's 100 back (1:06.45)
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Carly Marshall, women's 50 breast (32.66)
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Ben Liu, men's 50 breast (27.95)
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Helen Senchev, women's 200 back (2:26.05)
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Elena Dworak, women's 200 breast (2:44.62)
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Joey Pasarello, men's 100 back (1:00.66)
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Katie Stone, women's 50 back (30.13)
