CATHY JUN Freshman Julie Madden swims
the 500-yard freestyle event in a meet last month. The Bruins
compete in the Pac-10 championships today.
By Calley Prezzano
Daily Bruin Contributor
The UCLA women’s swimming and diving team starts the
Pac-10 Championship meet today in Federal Way, Wash.
The squad is looking forward to swimming against fast teams like
Stanford (which has two All-Americans), Arizona and others, as well
as vying for a top finish.
“Arizona always has a great team at Pac-10s,” said
Head Coach Cindy Gallagher. “They have a lot of kids on the
team. But now, so do we.”
The first-place goal is within reach for the Bruin squad, which
has been having an incredible season, winning the Texas
Invitational in December and all but three dual meets. This season
UCLA has suffered two losses, both in close meets against Stanford
(132-168) and Cal (139-161), and a recent defeat by USC
(136-164).
SWIMMING & DIVING at Pac 10
Championships Today – Saturday All Day Federal Way, WA
“It would be so exciting if we win,” freshman Brooke
Winkler said. “It would show people what we’re capable
of.”
“We want everyone to go a best time,” Gallagher
said. “And we also want them to qualify for NCAAs.”
According to the swimmers, the team has been working on details
and is ready to swim fast.
“Each day everyone looks faster,” freshman Chelsea
Murray said. “We’re more excited, and have more
energy.”
The Bruins are anticipating that the relays will be faster than
were earlier this season.
Not only are times and races important, the team is also
focusing on staying healthy for the meet.
“We want everyone to do well,” said sophomore diver
Regan Gosnell. “We want to be strong as a team.”
The depth of the team will contribute to UCLA’s overall
performance. Since all eight divers are competing, the team will
have extra opportunities to earn points.
“There is no superstar (on the UCLA dive team),”
Gosnell added. “We’re excited that the whole team can
go, and we’re going to capitalize on the depth of the
team.”
According to Winkler, this meet is what the training season has
come down to for the UCLA squad. The Pac-10 Championship is
the last meet for the majority of the team. The squad even went up
to Washington two days early to get used to the atmosphere and
become comfortable in the pool.
“This is the biggest meet of the season so far,”
Winkler said. “It’s huge for me personally, and also as
a team.”
For the divers, Pac-10s are a good warm up for the Zone E
Championships, the diving qualifier for NCAAs, held March 9-10.
The Pac-10 meet also serves as a stepping-stone for the swimmers
to qualify and compete at the NCAA Championships, which takes place
from March 15-17 in Long Island, New York.
Although the final competitions of the year are coming up
shortly, the Bruins remain focused on this weekend.
“We want to make this the best meet we’ve ever
had,” Gallagher said. “We want to make
history.”