FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - The No. 7 California women's swimming & diving team got off to a blistering start at the 2024 Pac-12 Championships on Wednesday evening, setting the meet record in the 200-yard medley relay with a winning time of 1:33.89 at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

The Golden Bears' team of Isabelle Stadden (backstroke), Jade Neser (breaststroke), Mia Kragh (butterfly) and Stephanie Akakabota (freestyle) also just missed establishing a new school record in the event, falling short by just four one-hundredths of a second of the program record set in 2018.

It was also the third-fastest time in the event in the nation this season.

"I just knew that we were going to stick to the process and whatever happens is going to happen," Akakabota told the Pac-12 Networks. "I'm with some of the best athletes on this relay and I knew they would take care of business on their end and I just had to finish."

It marked the second straight year the Bears have won the Pac-12 title in the 200 medley relay.

Cal's team of Ava Chavez, Mia Motekaitis, Rachel Klinker and Leah Polonsky took second place in the 800 freestyle relay, but still had the eighth-fastest time in the country this season in the event with a time of 6:56.81.

The Bears, looking to capture their first Pac-12 team championship since 2021, lead the overall standings after the first day of the meet with 120 points. Arizona State is in second place with 106 points while Arizona is third at 104.

The Pac-12 Championships continue Thursday with the first day of individual events, featuring the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle and 1-meter diving. Polonsky is the defending Pac-12 champion in the 200 IM. Qualifying takes place in the morning with the finals set for the evening session. The 200 free relay will also be competed Thursday evening.


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