FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – The California women's swimming & diving program dominated the 100 butterfly on Friday, highlighting a terrific day for the Golden Bears at the USA Swimming Winter Nationals.
Former Cal swimmer and Olympic gold medalist Dana Vollmer won the 100 fly with a time of 57.95 while the three other current Golden Bears also qualified for the championship final. Sophomore Noemi Thomas was fourth with a mark of 58.64 while senior Kelly Naze came in fifth with a lifetime best time of 58.95. Junior Farida Osman placed in sixth after clocking a time of 59.13.
The Bears had finalists in all five events Friday night, including four more in the 100 backstroke. Former Golden Bear Missy Franklin won the championship with a time of 1:00.03 while senior Rachel Bootsma came in third at 1:00.25. Former Cal star Natalie Coughlin placed fourth at 1:00.41 while freshman Kathleen Baker finished sixth with a mark of 1:00.48.
Franklin also placed second in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:57.30 while fellow former Bear Camille Cheng was sixth with an Olympic cut time of 1:58.78.
Junior Marina Garcia was a finalist in the 100 breaststroke, taking eighth with a mark of 1:08.98. Former Golden Bear Caitlin Leverenz was fourth in the 400 individual medley at 4:40.79.
Other highlights for the Bears were senior Elizabeth Pelton and freshman Amy Bilquist qualifying for the B final in the 100 back and junior Ceilna Li getting to the B final in the 400 IM. Cal signee Keaton Blovad advanced to the C final in the 100 back.
Pelton, junior Rachael Acker and Cal alum Melanie Klaren each made the C final in the 200 free.
The Winter Nationals continue Saturday with the 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke and 200 butterfly.