BERKELEY, Calif. – A pool record in the 200 free relay highlighted California's start to the 2021 dual-meet season, as the Golden Bears hosted USC Friday afternoon at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
 
Friday's portion of the two-day dual meet featured eight swimming events and two diving competitions. Cal and USC will return to action at noon PT Saturday to complete the remainder of the meet. Cal leads, 101-63, after the first day.
 
Björn Seeliger, Ryan Hoffer, Nate Biondi and Bryce Mefford capped the day by cruising to a pool-record-setting 1:16.63 finish in the 200 free relay. The NCAA A qualifying relay result stands as the third-fastest time in the country so far this season. Cal opened the meet with another relay victory, as Destin Lasco, Reece Whitley, Hoffer and Seeliger clocked the ninth-fastest 400 medley relay time (3:08.90) in the country this season.
 
In between the relays, the Bears won five of six individual events. Cal swept the 1000 free with Zach Yeadon (8:59.80) leading the way and Sean Grieshop (9:10.08) and Tyler Kopp (9:18.89) taking second and third. A battle between two Bears in the 200 IM ended with Destin Lasco (1:45.91) besting Hugo Gonzalez (1:46.14).
 
Other individual wins came from Mefford in the 100 back (47.17), Whitley in the 100 breast (53.26) and Trenton Julian in the 200 fly (1:43.31).
 
In the diving events down the road at Legends Aquatic Center, sophomore transfer Tyler Wesson was the lone Bear to compete. He placed second in the 3-meter (255.38) and took third on the platform (185.40).
 
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