SAN LUIS OBISPO – California freshman Zachary Tan began his collegiate career on a high note after he earned the King of the Pool title as the California men's swimming & diving team opened the 2024-25 season on Friday at Cal Poly's Anderson Aquatic Center.
 
Tan came out on top of the unique pentathlon, which tasked each swimmer with taking part in five 100-yard races - the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle and individual medley. Tan won the 100 IM (49.97) and finished amongst the top in the 100 fly (50.06), 100 back (50.01), 100 breast (54.98) and 100 free (46.33), earning a total time of 4:11.35.
 
Tan is ninth Bear to earn King of the Pool honors since 2010, joining former and current Cal standouts Marcin Tarczynski (2010-12), Ryan Murphy (2013), Will Hamilton (2014), Matthew Josa (2017), Andrew Seliskar (2018), Zheng Quah (2019), Hugo Gonzalez (2021), and Destin Lasco (2022-23).
 
Freshman August Vetsch won the 100 fly (49.03), senior Evan Petty claimed the 100 back (48.69), while freshman Nans Mazellier won the 100 free (44.58). The Bears placed first in four out of the five events.
 
The Bears return to action on Oct. 11 at UC San Diego for their first dual meet of the season.