BERKELEY --- Thursday's action for Cal athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympics was highlighted, as many previous days have been, in the pool.

Already the owner of one gold medal in Brazil, current Golden Bear Ryan Murphy extended the United States' dominance in the 200 meter backstroke with his victory in the event final this evening. His triumph - with a time of 1:53.62 - gave the Americans their sixth consecutive gold medal in the discipline.

Fellow Cal representative Jacob Pebley competed in the 200 backstroke final and finished fifth with a time of 1:55.62.

Three other Bears secured places in Friday finals with their efforts Thursday - Nathan Adrian finished second overall in the 50 meter freestyle prelim (21.61) and fourth in the semis (21.47) while Anthony Ervin was third overall in the 50 free prelims (21.63) and tied for second in the semis. In the 100 meter butterfly, Tom Shields advanced to the finals after winning his preliminary heat (51.58) and placing fifth in the semis (51.61).

On the women's side, the top pool performance from the Cal contingent came from a future Bear. Abbey Weitzeil competed in the 100 meter freestyle final and ended up with a 7th-place swim of 53.30.

Additionally, Missy Franklin (USA, 200 meter backstroke), Lauren Boyle (New Zealand, 800 meter freestyle) and Long Gutierrez (Mexico, 100 meter butterfly) each saw action on Thursday despite missing out on the finals of their respective events.

A trio of Bears were active in one of Rio's other pools competing in women's water polo. In Spain's close 11-10 victory over Hungary in Group B action, Roser Tarrago (ESP), Anna Illes and Dora Antal (HUN) all saw action against each other. Tarrago performed the best as part of the winning side, shooting 2-of-7 (including 2-of-2 on penalties) and adding an assist. 

Continuing the water theme in Cal's competitions, Caileigh Filmer helped propel Canada to a victory in the women's rowing eights repechages. The Canadians posted a time of 6:28.07, over four seconds faster than second-place Romania. 

Men's rowing also saw Cal representation in its races, as Marko Marjanovic (Serbia; doubles final B), Nareg Guregian (USA; pair final B) and Will Dean (Canada; quadruple sculls final) finished in the top 12 overall in their events.

The final Bears to see action in Rio were firmly planted on Brazilian soil. Danny Barrett (USA) scored the first try in the United States' 24-12 rugby sevens victory against Spain in the 9th-10th place contest.

Golf made its triumphant return to the Olympic program after 112 years and Byeong-Hun An of South Korea helped make history on its first day. During the course of shooting a first round 3-under 68, An - Cal's first ever Olympian in golf - recorded the first bogey and first birdie of the tournament. 

Friday's Schedule (All Times PT)
Men's Swimming

• Nathan Adrian, USA (50m Freestyle Final) - 6 p.m.
• Anthony Ervin, USA (50m Freestyle Final) - 6 p.m.  
• Tom Shields, USA (100m Butterfly Final) 6 p.m.  

Women's Swimming

• Farida Osman, Egypt (50m Freestyle Prelims/Semis) - 9 a.m.
• Stephanie Au, Hong Kong (4x100 Medley Relay Prelims) - 9 a.m. 
• Abbey Weitzeil, USA (50m Freestyle Prelims/Semis) - 9 a.m.

Women's Soccer

• Alex Morgan, USA (vs Sweden) - 9 a.m. 

Men's Golf

• Byeong-Hun An, South Korea (Second Round) - 3:30 a.m.

Men's Water Polo

• Luca Cupido, USA (vs Montenegro) - 7:40 a.m.
• John Mann, USA (vs Montenegro) - 7:40 a.m.

Women's Volleyball

• Carli Lloyd, USA (vs Italy) - 11 a.m.

Men's Rowing

• Natan Wegrzycki-Szmczyk, Poland (Singles Final) - 4:30 a.m.

Women's Table Tennis

• Lily Zhang, USA (Team Rounds) - 11 a.m.