Stadden's Record-Breaking Meet Leads No. 10 Bears To Win
Catharyn Hayne/KLC Fotos
Isabelle Stadden celebrates her record-breaking swim in the 100-yard backstroke.

Stadden's Record-Breaking Meet Leads No. 10 Bears To Win

Fifth-Year Senior Sets Pool Record In Both Individual Backstroke Events

Story Links

BERKELEY – Fifth-year senior Isabelle Stadden rewrote the Spieker Aquatics Complex record book in the backstroke events Friday, setting a pair of new pool standards during the No. 10 California women's swimming & diving team's 185-115 dual meet victory over No. 18 USC.

Stadden matched her career-best time of 50.26 in establishing a new pool record in the 100-yard backstroke while reeling off a season-best time of 1:49.96 to set the facility record in the 200 back. Stadden also was part of the Golden Bears' victories in the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.

Both of Stadden's record-setting swims surpassed marks she had previously set during a dual meet win over Arizona State last season. She went 50.55 in the 100 back and 1:50.58 in the 200 back against the Sun Devils.

Stadden's time Friday was also better than the 50.47 she swam last season to finish as the runner-up in the 100 back at the NCAA Championships.

Senior Leah Polonsky was a four-time winner Friday, highlighted by her victory over USC's Minna Abraham in the 200 freestyle. Polonsky touched the wall first at 1:44.05 while Abraham was second at 1:44.19. Abraham finished third in the event at NCAAs last season. Both Polonsky (Israel) and Abraham (Hungary) raced in the event at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Polonsky also won the 200 individual medley (1:56.68) and was part of both of Cal's relay victories as well.

Freshman Mary-Ambre Moluh swept the sprint freestyle events, winning the 50 free in a time of 22.01 and the 100 free with a 48.35.

Down the street at Legends Aquatic Center, sophomore Ariana Drake won the 3-meter event at the Cal Diving Invitational with a score of 301.90.

The Bears return to Spieker Aquatics Complex on Saturday for their final home dual meet of the season against No. 24 UCLA. Cal will honor its 17 seniors and graduate students in a special ceremony before the meet begins.
 
 
Print Friendly Version