LOS ANGELES – Five Stanford swimmers – Katie Drabot, Katie Ledecky, Janet Hu, Brooke Forde and Ella Eastin – led the Pac-12 over Team USA, 326.5-286.5, in the second annual College Swimming Challenge in Los Angeles over the weekend.
In a two-day, season-opening meet that matches the USA national team against the current student-athletes in the Pac-12, Ledecky swept the 200, 500 and 1,000-yard freestyles, while Eastin swept the individual medleys and won the 200 butterfly.
Stanford's long distance Katies – Ledecky and Drabot – were first and third in the 500 free. Ledecky hit the wall at 4:28.75, while Drabot stopped the clock at 4:37.51. Ledecky also started the year with a fast finish of 9:11.68 in the 1,000 and posted a 1:41.60 in the 200.
Eastin and Forde also put together some fast season-opening times. The duo finished 1-2, respectively, in the 400 individual medley. Eastin nearly broke four minutes in her first competitive swim of the year at 4:00.02, while Forde opened her collegiate career with an impressive finish of 4:02.02.
Eastin bested the field in the 200 fly with a finish of 1:52.83, and then in a particularly entertaining 200 medley relay, the Stanford junior tied Cal standout Kathleen Baker – both hit the pad at 1:53.24.
The unique meet format also paired Stanford swimmers alongside rival Cal. The two schools comprised the entire 800 free relay. Eastin and Ledecky took the final two swims and helped the Pac-12 to a win of 6:57.98.
Hu, who was third in the 100 and 200 backstrokes, was also part of the winning 200 mixed medley relay, and joined Ledecky on the winning 400 free relay team (3:11.68).
Stanford's Paul A. Violich Director of Women's Swimming Greg Meehan was co-head coach for the Pac-12, and former Cardinal Lia Neal competed for Team USA. Neal, a 26-time All-American at Stanford, was part of the national team's win in the 400 medley relay, and finished second in the 100 free.
On Friday, all the other Stanford swimmers and divers defeated Utah in Salt Lake City, 143-95.
Farnsworth wins ?
— Stanford WSwim/Dive (@stanfordwswim) October 21, 2017
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The Cardinal opens the home season Nov. 2-3 against Oregon State and N.C. State. All Stanford home meets are free, and both meets will be streamed at GoStanford.com.
#GoStanford