LOS ANGELES – Amy Bilquist, Katie McLaughlin and Briana Thai claimed two events apiece and Cal swept both relays as the Golden Bears won at USC, 169-131, Friday – the team's first victory on the road in the series since 2012.
 
"I thought we did a nice job of handling traveling, being ready to go and racing well against a strong USC team," said head coach Teri McKeever, whose squad flew from the Bay Area to Los Angeles early Friday morning. "We responded well after the first break, focusing and staying tough."
 
Cal, which improved to 8-0 on the year, started off with a narrow victory in the 200-yard medley relay, as the Bears' McLaughlin out-touched the Trojans' Marta Ciesla by .64 seconds at the finish to prevail in 1:38.24 – Cal's fastest time in a dual meet so far this year.
 
McLaughlin came back later in the meet to take first in the 200 butterfly by nearly 1.5 seconds, finishing in 1:55.03. She also won the 500 free in 4:50.69, leading a 1-2-3 Cal sweep that included runner-up Chenoa Devine (4:51.39) and Robin Neumann in third place in 4:52.24.
 
Bilquist earned victories in both backstroke events, taking the 100-yard race in 52.68 and the 200-yard race in 1:54.97. In both cases, Kathleen Baker was a close second, while Courtney Mykkanen was third at the 200 distance.
 
Thai and Phoebe LaMay were the top two placers on both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboards, with Thai edging her teammate by three points both times.
 
Senior Noemie Thomas was the only other Bear to win an individual event, claiming her specialty – the 100 fly – in 51.74. Sophomore Maddie Murphy was right behind in 52.43.
 
Cal wrapped up the meet with a two-second victory in the 400 free relay. Neumann, McLaughlin, Murphy and Bilquist touched in 3:17.43. Like the 200 medley relay, the time was Cal's best in a dual meet in 2017-18.
 
The Bears return to action Saturday, visiting UCLA for a noon meet, and they conclude the regular season at Stanford on Saturday, Feb. 10.