This post was updated Oct. 26 at 8:45 p.m.
Any school joining the Big Ten knows that the league’s powerhouse competition will test its athletes.
But when UCLA entered the Big Ten in 2024, it took on a secondary, albeit real, challenge. By nature of the league’s historically midwestern positioning, long travel days became the norm for the Bruins.
No. 23 UCLA women’s swim and dive saw no shortage of either element during its first-ever Big Ten dual meet outside Los Angeles on Saturday. The Bruins defeated Northwestern 165.5-134.5 but fell to No. 10 Michigan 193-103 in Ann Arbor, Michigan – about 2,000 miles from home.
“This was the first time we’ve really traveled this way,” head coach Jordan Cordry said. “That was a challenge, but up against a very good Michigan and a very good Northwestern, I’m really proud of the way they (UCLA) came for it.”
The Bruins swept the 100 backstroke podium, with sophomore Claudia Yovanovich securing first place in 52.87. Senior Rosie Murphy took home second place with a 52.93 mark, and senior Fay Lustria rounded out the top three in 53.37.
Both Yovanovich and Murphy secured career-best times in the race, with Murphy dropping nearly half a second off her previous personal record of 53.35 set earlier this month.
Murphy once again proved herself to be among the Bruins’ most consistent performers, placing second in two other individual races – the 200 backstroke and 400 IM. Her 200 backstroke time of 1:53:99 and 400 IM time of 4:11:80 amounted to NCAA ‘A’ cuts, guaranteeing her a trip to the national championships in March.
Junior Sarah Bennetts was also a standout for the Bruins. The Davis local secured two individual second-place finishes, posting times of 1:01.24 and 2:13.46 in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, respectively.
Bennetts also contributed to the Bruins’ third-place 400-yard medley relay, and led off UCLA’s winning 200-yard freestyle relay, which freshman Jada Duncan closed in 21.92. The Bruins beat the Wildcats to the wall in a final split that would have earned Duncan second place in the individual 50 yard freestyle.
UCLA’s diving squad has consistently posted strong scores since senior Eden Cheng joined the team in 2022. While Michigan diver Kiarra Milligan edged out Cheng – a Tokyo Olympian – by a single point to take home the 1-meter-title with a 296.30 mark, Cheng came back in the 3-meter, defeating Milligan by more than ten points with a score of 299.80.
Junior diver Molly Brascia also had a solid showing, placing third in both events. Both Brascia and Cheng earned NCAA ‘A’ cuts in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives.
UCLA Athletics did not provide media availability with the team’s athletes upon request.
Following the meet, Cordry said the team is focusing on building strength and power while remaining healthy for upcoming competitions. The Bruins will have a nearly two-week break before they travel to Tempe to face off against former Pac-12 foe Arizona State on Nov. 7.
Even with the travel, Cordry said she believes Big Ten competition is beneficial for her team. She added that the Bruins’ Saturday showing against tough conference competition proves that UCLA can battle with the best.
“I’m really, really proud of this group,” Cordry said. “It’s a huge win for us to be able to go on the road and do something like this – it’s historic stuff.”
Contributing reports from Felicia Keller, Daily Bruin senior staff.
Comments are closed.