FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – The Cal women's swimming & diving team got the 2023 Pac-12 Championships off to a resounding start Wednesday evening, edging Stanford to win the conference title in the 200-yard medley relay at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

Cal's team of Isabelle Stadden, Jade Neser, Mia Kragh and McKenna Stone completed the race in a season-best time of 1:34.40, just two one-hundredths of a second faster than Stanford.

"I don't think I've ever felt that much excitement in my life," Stone said on the Pac-12 Network broadcast of the race. "I don't know how to say it. I just have so much love for my team."

Neser put the Bears in the lead with a strong breaststroke leg, and Kragh (butterfly) and Stone (freestyle) maintained the slim advantage throughout.

It marked Cal's 158^th all-time conference relay or individual title.

The Bears' 800 freestyle relay team of Mia Motekaitis, Ayla Spitz, Leah Polonsky and Rachel Klinker finished second with a season-best time of 6:58.62.

After the first night of the Pac-12 Championships, Cal and Stanford are tied for the team lead with 120 points.

The championships get going in earnest on Thursday with a full slate of racing. Prelims for the 500 free, 200 individual medley and 50 free take place at 10:30 a.m. with the finals in all three events set for 6 p.m. The finals of the 200 free relay is also slated for Thursday evening.

 
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