WSWIM2/27/2016 6:01 AM | By: Cal Athletics
Osman Sets More Records At Pac-12 Championships
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Junior Farida Osman won her third title at the 2016 Pac-12 Championships when she captured the 100 butterfly with a record-breaking time of 50.53 on Friday night at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
That was part of an overall strong showing in the 100 fly, part of a solid evening for Cal in which the Bears also had top performers in the 400 individual medley and the 100 backstroke.
Osman's time in the 100 fly set a new Pac-12 Championships record, the third record she has set this week. It was also a lifetime best and the second-fastest time in the nation this season.
Osman also set the Pac-12 Championships record in the 50 free on Thursday night, also setting a school record with a mark of 21.32. She also was part of the Bears' 200 free relay team that won the Pac-12 championship in a meet record time on Thursday.
The Bears ended up with three of the top four finishers in the 100 fly, with sophomore Noemie Thomas placing third at 51.40 and senior Rachel Bootsma finishing fourth with a time of 51.64.
That was part of a strong night for Bootsma, who finished second in the 100 backstroke with a time of 50.76. That was the fourth-fastest time in the country this season. Freshman Amy Bilquist placed third in the 100 back at 50.81 and fellow freshman Kathleen Baker was fourth with a lifetime best time of 51.05.
Earlier in the day in the prelims, Bilquist clocked the fastest time this season in the 100 back at 50.50, which also makes her the No. 6 performer ever in the event.
Cal had two of the top three performers in the 400 IM, with senior Kelly Naze finishing second with a lifetime best time of 4:06.56. Junior Celina Li was third at 4:08.36.
The Bears finished second in the 400 medley relay, with Bootsma, junior Marina Garcia, Osman and Bilquist clocking in at 3:30.17, the fifth-best time in the country this season.
“It was a real good day for the Bears,” Cal coach Teri McKeever said. “Team-wise, we're doing a really nice job staying in it and keeping it close. We're looking to finish strong tomorrow. I like where we are right now.”
Cal had two swimmers in the championship final of the 200 freestyle, and senior Elizabeth Pelton placed third with a time of 1:44.59. Senior Rachael Acker finished eighth at 1:45.98. Garcia was fourth in the 100 breaststroke with a mark of 1:00.58.
The Bears enter the final day of competition in third place with 890.5 points. USC has the overall lead with 951 points.
Friday's action will air on a tape delay basis on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.