TUCSON, Ariz. – With victories in 11 of 16 events, California kicked off 2017 with a convincing 181-119 dual-met win at Arizona Friday afternoon.
 
Freshman Abbey Weitzeil swept the 50 and 100 freestyle events, while sophomore Amy Bilquist captured the 100 and 200 backstroke, and junior Noemie Thomas claimed the 100 and 200 butterfly. Bilquist remained undefeated in either backstroke in dual-meet competition this season, and the same holds true for Thomas in both butterfly races and Weitzeil in the 50 free.
 
The Golden Bears picked up one victory each from senior Marina Garcia in the 200 breaststroke, senior Celina Li in the 200 individual medley and sophomore Phoebe LaMay on the 3-meter springboard. Cal also prevailed in both relays – the 200 medley and the 400 free.
 
The meet was the Bears' first since returning from a 10-day training trip and coincided with the end of the first week of the spring semester.
 
"The first meet is always a little tough because of the transition back to school and our regular routine," head coach Teri McKeever said. "With good leadership from our senior class, I thought we really stepped up in the second half of the meet. I like the way we responded after being challenged. This was a total team effort."
 
Cal won four of the first eight races, then took seven of the last eight events, including a 1-2-3 finish by Weitzeil, senior Kristen Vredeveld and senior Farida Osman in the 100 free.
 
The Bears return to action on Saturday, facing off against Arizona State in Tempe at 11 a.m. The meet will be streamed live at this link.