For the 2015-16 season, a group of five Golden Bears – a regular blog squad – will be producing Between the Lanes segments to give fans an inside look at Cal's women's swimming & diving team. The crew is made up of Marina Garcia, Valerie Hull, Catherine Ladd, Katie McLaughlin and Maija Roses.

Each entry will include a video along with a short written element, and this week's initial post (click on the link above) focuses on the six newcomers to the swim team and helps set the stage for Thursday's home opener against Utah, a dual meet that begins at 5 p.m. at Spieker Aquatics Complex and will feature the Cal men's team, as well.

Check back at CalBears.com or on the Cal women's swimming & diving Facebook and Twitter pages for more on the Bears this season.

Between the Lanes episode 1
Coming off a successful national championship run last season, your Golden Bears are back and hungry for more. With six new additions to the swim team, we have spent the past couple of weeks getting to know the “cubs” – Amy Bilquist, Kathleen Baker, Jenna Campbell, Madi Hurst, Valerie Hull and Katie McLaughlin, and developing our own, new team dynamic!

The cubs started out the year getting to find out who their big sisters were and going to family pod meals. In mid-September, we traveled down to the central coast, starting with the annual Queen of the Pool races at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Then it was on to Pismo Beach, where the team spent three days together training in the ocean and spending time with one another while boogie boarding, trying new restaurants and doing a little bit of shopping. Training is in full swing, with swimming, dancing, yoga and strength training challenging us to improve each and every day.

Our first home competition of the year is this Thursday, Oct. 15 at Spieker Aquatics Center at 5 p.m. This is one of four home meets this year, so be sure to come out and cheer as the Golden Bears take on Utah!