BERKELEY – The No. 2 ranked California men's swimming & diving team returns to Spieker Aquatics Complex on Friday hosting No. 20 USC. The Golden Bears and Trojans are slated for a 2:00 p.m. start time and will be streamed on Pac-12 Insider with Ben Ross calling the action live poolside. Friday's meet will be the second to last dual meet of the season for the Bears.  
 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Cal vs. USC | 2:00 p.m. PT | Spieker Aquatic Complex | Berkeley, Calif.
Live Stream: Pac-12 Insider
Talent: Ben Ross (play-by-play)
 
LAST TIME IN THE POOL
Last time out, the Bears earned a split in Arizona. Cal defeated Arizona 187-98 in Tucson. The next day, the Bears fell to No. 1 Arizona State 211-87 in Tempe. Cal also had a contingent of Bears compete at the Triton Invitational hosted by UC San Diego. Against the Wildcats the Bears got tremendous performances from Destin Lasco and Gabriel Jett who combined to win four individual events. The following day, the Bears once again got a strong showing from Lasco who was victorious in the 100 and 200m backstroke.
 
TOP TIMES
Heading into February, the Bears rank in the top 10 nationally in several events. Junior Björn Seeliger ranks in the top 5 in the 50 freestyle (18.87), 100 free (41.68), 50 back (20.73), and 100 back (45.23). Lasco is second nationally in both the 100 back (44.88) and 200 back (1:39.09). Lasco is also third in the 200 individual medley (1:41.52) and seventh in the 100 IM (48.52). Jett is eighth nationally in the 200 free (1:32.41). Dare Rose Is third in the 200 butterfly (1:41.01) and eighth in the 100 fly (45.30). Reece Whitley is tied for third-best in the 100 breaststroke (51.51), and seventh in the 200 breast (1:52.16).
 
RETURN OF A CHAMP
When the Bears traveled to Arizona at the end of last month Cal saw the return of a national champion. Graduate student Hugo González returned to competition for the Bears in Arizona. The reigning national champion in the 400 IM helped the Bears win the 200 free relay against the Wildcats and also took fifth in the 200 free and 100 fly. Against Arizona State, he took fifth in the 100 back and 400 IM and sixth in the 200 backstroke.
 
IN THE RANKINGS
The Golden Bears opened the year ranked No. 1 in the CSCAA preseason poll. In the latest poll, the Bears are second and received a first-place vote. Cal trails No. 1 Arizona State (449 points) by 17 points. Rounding out the top five: Florida, NC State, Texas, and Ohio State are tied for fifth.
 
AGAINST THE TROJANS
Friday marks the 81^st time the two programs have squared off. All-time, USC owns a 49-31 advantage in the series. However, under head coach Dave Durden, the Bears are 14-1 against USC. Last time out, Cal defeated the Trojans 198.5-94.5 at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center in Los Angeles.
 
 
STAY POSTED
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