Cal Women's Swimming at Stanford on Pac-12 Networks Open Thread

No.1 Cal Women's Swimming and Diving at No.4 Stanfurd

When: 10 AM PT

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Broadcast team: Rich Burk, former Golden Bear Natalie Coughlin and Cynthia Potter

In case you missed it: Missy Franklin was on the Pac-12 Networks' "Statisfaction" earlier this week and had some fun:

No.1 Cal Bears are 7-1 on the season, with this morning's dual meet being the last tune-up before the Pac-12 Championships in 1.5 weeks. 'Furd is of course pretty good in the pool themselves, but you would think that the Bears have this Big Meet circled on their calendar. It would also be great for the Bears to continue the reversal of fortune against 'Furd ('Furd still lead 34-6 with the Bears' last win down at The Farm coming in 2006), especially given the quality and depth of this year's squad compares to past Bears teams.

Here are how the Bears have fared so far this year compared to other top times in the country (from CalBears.com):

Tops in the Country: In the latest statistics, Golden Bears have posted the fastest times in the nation in the 200 and 500 free and the 200 back, as well as the 400 medley relay. Missy Franklin is No. 1 in both freestyle events after setting school records during victories at AT&T Winter Nationals in December. She went 1:41.40 in the 200-yard distance and 4:34.63 over 500 yards. In addition, sophomore Elizabeth Pelton is the top-rated 200-yard backstroker (1:49.59). Last year, Pelton set an American record in the event (1:47.84) on her way to the NCAA title. In addition, Pelton, Marina Garcia, Rachel Bootsma and Franklin covered the 400 medley relay in 3:29.91 at Winter Nationals.

Several other Cal swimmers are also among the county's top 10 in their respective races: Franklin (6th, 50 free; 3rd, 100 free; 6th, 100 back; 5th, 200 back); Pelton (10th, 200 free; 2nd, 100 back; 3rd, 200 IM); Cindy Tran (3rd, 100 back); Bootsma (7th, 100 back, 8th, 200 fly); Melanie Klaren (7th, 200 back); and Celina Li (4th, 200 IM; 5th, 400 IM).

Meeting the Standard: Entering this week's competition, five Golden Bears have recorded swims under the NCAA A standards in 11 individual events. In addition, all five Cal relays have reached the standard. Missy Franklin leads the way with qualifying times in the 100 free (47.42), 200 free (school-record 1:41.40), 500 free (school-record 4:34.63), 100 back (51.59) and 200 back (1:51.54). Elizabeth Pelton has A marks in the 100 back (51.27), 200 back (1:49.59) and 200 IM (1:54.15), while Rachel Bootsma is qualified in the 100 back (51.86) and Celina Li in the 200 IM (1:54.25).

Here is a look at the Division 1 NCAA standards for women this year:

2014 NCAA Division I Women

Event	2014 A Std	2014 B Std	Qualified in 2013 (38)	Qualified in 2012 (30)	Qualified in 2011 (39)	Qualified in 2010 (32)	Qualified in 2009	Qualified in 2008
50 Freestyle	21.99	22.99	22.45	22.46	22.61	22.57	22.49	22.61
100 Freestyle	47.96	49.99	49.00	48.95	49.08	49.36	49.12	49.39
200 Freestyle	1:43.91	1:47.99	1:46.10	1:46.38	1:46.77	1:46.85	1:46.52	1:47.09
500 Freestyle	4:37.01	4:47.79	4:42.90	4:42.23	4:43.43	4:43.75	4:43.13	4:45.37
1650 Freestyle	15:58.41	16:30.59	16:19.32	16:20.02	16:18.66	16:20.14	16:22.31	16:25.44
100 Backstroke	51.97	55.09	53.21	52.96	53.44	53.69	53.58	54.50
200 Backstroke	1:52.71	1:59.19	1:54.79	1:55.56	1:55.65	1:55.68	1:55.61	1:57.37
100 Breaststroke	59.19	1:02.49	1:00.72	1:00.78	1:00.88	1:01.20	1:01.20	1:01.83
200 Breaststroke	2:08.29	2:15.99	2:11.44	2:11.32	2:11.72	2:12.11	2:12.38	2:14.14
100 Butterfly	51.90	54.49	52.99	53.04	53.18	53.24	53.14	53.75
200 Butterfly	1:54.54	1:59.59	1:57.59	1:57.26	1:57.94	1:58.16	1:58.78	1:59.11
200 Individual Medley	1:55.72	2:02.59	1:58.51	1:58.64	1:59.13	1:58.96	1:57.43	2:00.37
400 Individual Medley	4:05.44	4:19.39	4:11.92	4:11.67	4:12.81	4:13.22	4:13.44	4:15.45
200 Freestyle Relay	1:29.65	1:30.43		1:29.75		1:30.04	1:29.62	1:31.00
400 Freestyle Relay	3:16.84	3:18.99		3:16.80	3:16.10	3:17.79	3:17.36	3:18.28
800 Freestyle Relay	7:07.31	7:12.21		7:06.87		7:09.14	7:08.07
200 Medley Relay	1:38.01	1:38.81		1:37.76		1:38.78	1:38.40	1:39.40
400 Medley Relay	3:34.65	3:36.46		3:34.09 (15)		3:36.21	3:34.62	3:37.84

While there are still more races for more Bears to qualify for the NCAA's in more events (which translates to more points for Cal in the team competition), it is good to see that the Bears have already qualified for the NCAA in a handful of events.

GO BEARS!