Cal Men's swimming and diving dominates Stanford 169-74 in the Big Meet

Post game interview with Tyler Messerschmidt:

No.2 Cal Men's Swimming and Diving (7-0) at No.8 Stanfurd (7-0)

Results available via SwimmingWorld.

Cal defeated Stanford 169-74 on the strength of many 1-2-3 finishes, particularly in the distance freestyles, and wins in every swimming event.

The Bears started off with a 1-2 finish in the medley relay, with Ryan Murphy (21.86), Chuck Katis (24.40), Tony Cox (21.04) and Seth Stubblefield (19.47) combining for a 1:26.77. Cal's B team was second with a 1:28.65 to beat the Stanford foursome of David Nolan, Daniel Le, Connor Black and Thomas Stephens, who posted a 1:28.84.

Cal went 1-2 again in the 1000 free, as Jeremy Bagshaw posted a 9:04.20, well off his top time of 8:57.41 from last month. Adam Hinshaw placed second with a 9:11.96, ahead of the 9:17.53 posted by Stanford's Jimmy Yoder.

In the 200 freestyle, the Bears dominated with a 1-2-3 finish by Will Hamilton (1:36.69), Trent Williams (1:37.60) and Long Gutierrez (1:37.81). Stanford's Tom Kremer could not break through into the top three, placing fourth with a 1:37.83.

Tyler Messerschmidt posted a 20.14 to lead another 1-2-3 finish for Cal in the 50 free. Murphy was second with a 20.34 while Nick Dillinger posted a third-place time of 20.38.

When: 11 AM PT

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Overshadowed by the Cal women's star power but not forgotten, the Cal men's swimming (and diving) has also been having a great year, poise to make another run at the NCAA title. Before that, the Bears will look to continue their 14 dual meet win streak today against Bay Area rival Stanfurd.

Different from the usual dual meet of 16 events, Cal - 'Furd would only be a 13 event meet (11 swimming and 2 dives). This change increases the stakes for all the fights for 2nd and 3rd spots.

So far this year (from CalBears.com):

The Bears have several swimmers whose times are among the best in the nation. Senior Jeremy Bagshaw has the nation's fastest time in the 1000 free (8:57.41) and Pebley has the fastest mark in the 200 back (1:40.72). Messerschmidt owns the country's second-best time in the 50 free (19.35), while Murphy has the second-best mark in the 100 back (45.77). Cal also has the nation's fastest 400 free relay with a time of 2:51.16 (Messerschmidt, Murphy, Gimondi, Stubblefield). Overall, the Bears have 12 swims that are among the Top 10 fastest times in the nation.

The men's Pac-12 Championships start right after the women's next week. This meet is the last tune up before that.

GO BEARS!