MINNEAPOLIS – Freshman Mary-Ambre Moluh has only been on campus a few months but she is already establishing herself as the next elite backstroker in a program with a long legacy of them.

Moluh, who competed for France at the Paris Olympics last summer, set the school record in the 100-yard backstroke Friday, reeling off a blistering time of 49.68 seconds to win the event at the Minnesota Invitational at the Jean K Freeman Aquatic Center.

Moluh's time, which is also the third-fastest in the nation this season, displaced previous Cal record-holder Kathleen Baker, who swam a 49.80 in 2017. It's also faster than Natalie Coughlin, one of the most decorated collegiate and Olympic swimmers in American history. Coughlin's top time in the 100 back at Cal was 49.97.

Teammate and fifth-year senior Isabelle Stadden, another one of the program's generational backstrokers, finished behind Moluh but still with the fifth-best time in the country at 50.41.

Senior Leah Polonsky, meanwhile, continued her strong meet with a victory in the 200 freestyle (1:45.24) while grad transfer Margaux McDonald won the 100 breaststroke in a time of 59.59 after qualifying first during prelims. Sophomore Kathryn Hazle took the 400 individual medley (4:11.66) and graduate student Lilou Ressencourt won the 100 butterfly (51.81).

Cal's 400 medley relay team of Stadden, Polonsky, Ressencourt and Moluh earned an NCAA Championships A-qualifying time of 3:29.60 to register the win.

Entering Saturday's final day of the Minnesota Invitational, the Bears have a substantial lead over the field. Cal has amassed 1,275.5 points, well ahead of runner-up Minnesota (897 points).

Saturday will feature the 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, 400 freestyle relay and platform diving.


TEAM STANDINGS
1. Cal 1,275.5
2. Minnesota 897
3. Harvard 653.5
4. Denver 481.5
5. Rutgers 441.5
6. UNLV 389
 

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