2016 Women’s Pac-12 Championships: Day 1 Finals Live Recap

Pac-12 – Women

Action at the 2016 women’s Pac-12 championships kicks off tonight in Federal Way, Washington with the 200 medley relay and 800 free relay. The defending champs, California, will look to build an early lead against some tough competition that includes USC, Stanford, and Arizona.

200 MEDLEY RELAY:

  1. Stanford- 1:34.15
  2. California- 1:35.45
  3. USC- 1:35.90

The women from Stanford blasted to a new NCAA and Pac-12 Record in the women’s 200 medley relay to get things started. Ally Howe (23.62), Sarah Haase (26.20), Janet Hu (22.82), and Lia Neal (21.51) put together a 1:24.15 to erase the old record.

Behind Stanford, Cal and USC were locked in a tight battle for 2nd. USC was ahead going into the final leg after a quick 22.72 fly split from Kendyl Stewart, but Cal came up ahead after a huge 21.11 anchor leg from Farida Osman. The Golden Bears’ overall time was 1:35.45 to USC’s 1:35.90.

Notably, Arizona’s relay was disqualified after clocking a 1:36.50. That means they’ll miss out on 4th place points for this relay in the overall team scoring. It also bumped Utah (1:38.61) up to 4th and put UCLA (1:38.92) in the top 5.

800 FREE RELAY:

  1. USC- 6:55.17
  2. California- 6:57.64
  3. Stanford- 7:00.53

USC brought home the Pac-12 title in the women’s 800 free relay. Kirsten Vose (1:43.20), Anika Apostalon (1:43.97), Chelsea Chenault (1:42.98), and Allie Wooden (1:45.02) turned in a time of 6:55.17.

Cal was also under 7:00 to take 2nd place in 6:57.64. The Golden Bears got a pair of 1:43 splits from Kathleen Baker (1:43.04) and Amy Bilquist (1:43.23). That put them ahead of Stanford, as the Cardinal was 3rd in 7:00.53. Ella Eastin posted a 1:42.96 on the 3rd leg to secure their podium finish.

Taking 4th place was Arizona in 7:02.81, highlighted by a 1:44 split from sophomore Cameron McHugh. Arizona State took 5th in 7:15.74 with a key 1:45 split by Kat Simonovic.

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aquajosh
8 years ago

USC freshman Kirsten Vose has to be the find of the NCAA this year. She had a best time of 1:47 in the 200 free as recent as their midseason rest meet in December. She also has improved from a 2:13 to a 2:08 in the 200 breast, 2:00 to 1:56 in the 200 IM, and 1:00.5 to 59.5 in the 100 breast. I’d watch out for her this week.

I wish other conferences would allow teams to swim exhibition B relays like the PAC-10. I also hope that the 1:46 high leadoff that Katie McLaughlin exhibitioned on Cal’s B relay is indicative of the level of preparation she has for this meet and not of her physical condition. The… Read more »

bobo gigi
8 years ago

Stay calm girls! NCAAs are only in 3 weeks.

Leaky Goggles
8 years ago

Man Eastin with a sub 143 200 free split, wow she has really progressed this year, can’t wait to see what she does in the IM’s. That Cardinal 800 free relay the next 3 years is going to absolutely historic with Manuel, Ledecky, Eastin and Drabot. You are looking at a 6:45ish type time with those 4.

completelyconquered
Reply to  Leaky Goggles
8 years ago

That would be a sick relay. And, they would/will probably go a faster time than my college’s (MALE) 800 Free relay from 20 years ago.

Swim coach co
8 years ago

Ochitwa 22.4 split sets her up well for the 100 later on in the fly

cynthia curran
8 years ago

Eastin can swim any stroke, 1:42.96 in a relay. Hope she does a 1:53 or 1:54 in IM.

Deraj
8 years ago

Cal still extremely weak on breaststroke. No surprise but really hoped Marina Garcia could’ve adjusted to yards. They might have to use Kathleen Baker at NCAA, they should put her on the 400 med relay here to see what she’s capable of before nationals. Impressed by Farida Osman though, she’s a great team player, consistently dropping 21.1 relay splits. Noemie Thomas also lackluster with a 23.26, hopefully Katie McLaughlin will be healthy!

Steve
8 years ago

Stanford is breaking American records in relays, and Simone Manuel and Katie Ledecky are both waiting to swim on next year’s team. Scary, just scary.

Hats off the those girls, those are some impressive splits.

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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