BERKELEY – With a blend of success from veterans and freshmen alike, the Cal women's swimming & diving team kicked off its home schedule with a comfortable 155-97 victory over Washington State Friday at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
 
The Golden Bears claimed 13 of 14 events, led by triple-winner and senior Celina Li, who placed first in the 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard breaststroke and 400-yard individual medley.
 
Several of Cal's new faces also fared well with freshmen Abbey Weitzeil, Courtney Mykkanen and Chenoa Devine also picking up victories in their first meet in Berkeley. Weitzeil, a two-time medalist at the Rio Olympics, is the American-record holder in the 50 freestyle and showed why with an impressive 22.26 time in the event. She also anchored the opening 200 medley relay to victory and swam a leg of the winning 200 free relay.
 
Mykkanen, meanwhile, won the 200 backstroke in 2:00.22, and Devine cruised to a win in the 500 free in 4:53.91.
 
"Chenoa and Courtney swam well and are going to be really valuable to how we do overall this year," McKeever said. "I think just getting them comfortable with the format of a dual meet is important. I'm really pleased with what they're doing."
 
McKeever also noted she was impressed with the performance of sophomore Jenna Campbell, who earned a victory in the 200 free in 1:49.86.
 
"What a transformation for her from her freshman year," McKeever said. "It's so fun to see someone feeling more comfortable in the pool."
 
Others winners on the afternoon were Katie McLaughlin (1000 free), Kristen Vredeveld (100 back), Farida Osman (100 fly) and Noemie Thomas (100 fly).