KAZAN, Russia – Former Cal standout Missy Franklin and incoming Golden Bear freshman Kathleen Baker both qualified for the final of the women's 100-meter backstroke on the second day of the FINA World Championship Monday. Franklin will enter the final as the fifth seed after posting a semifinal time of 59.42, while Baker is ranked seventh after touching the wall in 59.63.

After the morning heats, it appeared that Baker would be on the outside after posting the 17th-fastest time. But when top qualifier Katinka Hosszu of Hungary scratched from the semifinals, Baker moved up to the 16th and final seed. She took full advantage and posted a personal-best time to reach Tuesday's final.

“I was a little excited this morning, and it cost a lot of energy that first 50, so tonight I just tried to stay relaxed for the first 35, then pick it up into the wall,” Baker said. “We have a great group in the stands who I can hear cheering for me when I finish and touch, which is amazing support. I'm just really enjoying the experience right now.”

Baker will be swimming in the finals with teammate Franklin, who stopped and cheered for Baker after her own semifinal heat.

“It's so special,” Franklin said. “I'm so excited. I was like a maniac on the pool deck watching her. I think that's such an incredible indication of a great athlete. She came back tonight and fixed what she did this morning and made the finals. That's what it's all about.”

One Cal swimmer competed in a final Monday, with sophomore Noemie Thomas of Canada taking eighth in the 100 butterfly in 58.22.

In other action involving Bears, alum Lauren Boyle reached the 1500 free final with the fifth-best time of the heats in 16:02.84. Alum Stephanie Au (Hong Kong) was 27th in 100 back qualifying, junior Marina Garcia (Spain) placed 22nd in the 100 breaststroke heats (1:07.97) and alum Yvette Kong (Hong Kong) took 45th in the 100 breast in 1:11.46. Cal men's alum Jeremy Bagshaw, swimming for Canada, was 24th in the 200 free in 1:48.29.