Beijing, China – The 2024 Women’s PAC-12 Championships saw fierce competition on the third day of the event. Stanford led the way with the most A-finalists, but Cal had a strong showing with B-finalists, aiming to widen their lead in the pool. The evening session featured five individual events – the 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, and 100 backstroke, followed by the 3-meter diving and 400 medley relay finals.
Cal maintained its lead in the overall scores after Day 2 with 479 points, followed by USC with 401 points and Stanford with 398 points. The competition remained close among the top teams, including Arizona State, UCLA, Utah, Washington State, and Arizona.
In the 400 IM final, Stanford’s Caroline Bricker clinched the victory with a time of 4:02.32, followed by Paige MacEachern from UCLA and Leah Polonsky from Cal. Bricker’s strong performance highlighted the depth of talent at the PAC-12 Championships.
The 100 butterfly final saw Cal’s Mia Kragh dominating with a time of 50.89, setting a new personal best. The competition was fierce, with Gigi Johnson from Stanford and Lillie Nordmann from Stanford also putting up impressive performances in the event.
In the 200 freestyle final, USC’s Minna Abraham secured the win with a time of 1:42.42, showcasing her speed and skill in the pool. The event highlighted the competitive spirit among the top swimmers in the conference.
The 100 breaststroke final saw Kaitlyn Dobler from USC taking the victory with a time of 57.51. Dobler’s consistent performance throughout the championships solidified her position as a top swimmer in the conference.
In the 100 backstroke final, Isabelle Stadden from Cal emerged victorious with a time of 50.39, demonstrating her skill and determination in the pool. Stadden’s win added to Cal’s strong showing in the championships.
The 3M diving final was dominated by Utah’s Emilia Nilsson Garip, who secured the win with a score of 368.35. Garip’s impressive performance showcased the talent in the diving events at the PAC-12 Championships.
The 400 medley relay final saw USC taking the victory with a time of 3:27.28, showcasing teamwork and speed in the pool. The relay event added excitement to the championships as teams battled for crucial points.
As the competition intensifies, Cal maintained its lead in the overall scores, with Stanford and USC close behind. The PAC-12 Championships continue to highlight the talent and dedication of the swimmers competing at the highest level.