Kathleen Baker Crowned Queen of the Pool in Annual Cal Meet

Olympic medalist gold and silver medalist Kathleen Baker became the Queen of the Pool this weekend in her first meet back after Rio. The meet pitted swimmers from Cal and Cal Poly in each of the 100 yard events (fly, back, breast, free, IM) in a competition for the combined fastest time.

Baker, a sophomore, finished in a total 4:43.28. Cal senior and three-time defending champion Celina Li finished second in 4:44.91 followed by sophomore Amy Bilquist in 4:45.24. Double Olympic medalist freshman Abbey Weitzeil was fourth with 4:45.46 and sophomore Katie McLaughlin was fifth with 4:52.10.

See the full results here.

Individually, Baker won the 100 fly in 54.11 and the 100 IM in 55.79. Weitzeil won the 100 free with 49.81 and the 100 breast in 1:04.56. Bilquist was the 100 back champion in 53.25.

The top finisher from Cal Poly was freshman Amelia Feick in fourteenth with 5:04.75. Her highest individual finish was 5th in the 100 breast with 1:06.42.

The Cal Golden Bears will jump back into action October 7th at Oregon State, later hosting Washington State on October 21st. The Cal Poly women have an alumni meet on October 8th and an intrasquad the 15th. They will travel to UC Santa Barbara on October 29th.

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dmswim
7 years ago

Before anyone freaks out too much, Marina Garcia (who has been Cal’s top breaststroker in the past) got DQ’ed in the 100 breast. Her time may have been faster.

Becky D
Reply to  dmswim
7 years ago

The top breaststroker DQs in a throwaway season opener? Freaking out might be in order.

Sven
Reply to  Becky D
7 years ago

Nah. Like you say, it’s a throwaway season opener. Meaningless.

tea rex
Reply to  dmswim
7 years ago

Garcia is an occasionally-great 200 LCM breaststroker, but has not shown any progression in 3 years at short course or short distances. She’s probably about as good as Celina Li in the 50/100 SCY br.

swamfan
Reply to  tea rex
7 years ago

i don’t know why cal doesn’t put baker on the breast leg. Bilquist is a faster backstroker in syc than baker is, so bilquist can swim back and baker swim breast. At least on the 200 medley.

G.I.N.A
7 years ago

One commenter on Bloomberg had Baker as the Queen of the TUEs . 5 including a blood distributor .

vivian
Reply to  G.I.N.A
7 years ago

Yes, USA swimming needs to come clean about their Olympians.

ShawnT
7 years ago

If Weitzeil is swimming breast, seems like a waste of great freestyler. She is the American record holder in the 50 free.

Swimfan27
Reply to  ShawnT
7 years ago

I feel like Kathleen Baker would be a good fit for breaststroke, even if it is only on relays. Bilquist could cover backstroke, and Baker has been as quick as a :59 in the 100 breaststroke.

swamfan
7 years ago

I agree it’s shocking that Weitzell is their best breastroker and that cal definitely has a breastroke problem, but it’s worth noting Marina Garcia was DQd in the breastroke.

I’m also surprised that Baker beat Osman, Thomas, and McLaughlin in fly.

weirdo
7 years ago

when is the last time Cal women had a true stud breastroker? Jess Hardy for one year? lack of talent or not very well coached?

ArtVanDeLegh10
Reply to  weirdo
7 years ago

They’ve had a bunch of good breaststrokers over the years, and haven’t had much success with them.

Coaches
Reply to  weirdo
7 years ago

Not very well coached.

Matthew
Reply to  weirdo
7 years ago

Leverenz set an NCAA record in the 200 in 2012. Stop the Teri hating.

Observer
Reply to  Matthew
7 years ago

Leverenz was also setting NAG records as a 16 year old.

RetiredCoach
Reply to  weirdo
7 years ago

Stacianna Stitts?

Sccoach
7 years ago

Everyone is obviously swimming tired. This meet isn’t even a dual meet, it’s meaningless.

Cal does need some breastrokers though

Cynthia mae Curran
7 years ago

Baker was second to Eastin at NCAA’s so its not surprising.

Uberfan
7 years ago

Olympic medalist gold and silver medalist.

About Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht grew up in Kansas and spent most of her childhood trying to convince coaches to let her swim backstroke in freestyle sets. She took her passion to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and swam at NAIA Nationals all four years. After graduating in 2015, she moved to …

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