California Dreaming: ASU-Cal Dual Meet Was One For the Ages … a Dream Day of Speed
On a NorCal winter’s day accented by blustery winds and slashing rainfall, Spieker Pool was under attack.
Arizona State Swimming arrived at Cal after dominating Stanford a day earlier. Everyone knew what happened on “The Farm.” Avery Aquatic Center’s pool manager is still trying to update the record board after ASU vandalized the numbers with eight pool records.
Was Cal’s pool the next target?
Fans, coaches, parents, and swimmers who packed Spieker Pool’s stands and pool deck frantically wiped raindrops from their eyes for fear of missing yet another likely record-breaking performance. You simply couldn’t take your attention away from the water…not for a nano-second.
Race after race, many of the world’s fastest aquatic athletes stood shoulder to shoulder on the blocks to duel it out. Before the start, they focused down on an angry looking pool that almost sensed it was going to yield records despite the uninviting weather elements in play.
Sound the alarm! Hide the record board!
Visit Swimming World’s YouTube Channel for Videos From the Meet
Photo: Jack Hallahan
Right down to the last relay of what ultimately ended in a tie meet, it was already clear: undaunted by outside factors, these athletes came Saturday to capture the energy only a meet of this caliber can generate. They converted it into record-breaking performances much to the delight of a soaking-wet, sold-out crowd. Much to the delight of their parents and friend who came to send off a legendary crop of Cal Swimmers for Senior Day. Much to the delight of 50 age-group swimmers who piled into a bus and drove 30 miles to watch history in the making. Much to the delight of rival coaches.
Said ASU Coach Bob Bowman, as he smiled and gazed across the pool deck: “This was one of the best dual meets ever.” Cal’s Dave Marsh had a face of satisfaction…but with a twinkle in his eye as he pondered: “This sets up for a phenomenal PAC 12 Championships!” Cal head coach Dave Durden was too busy loving this moment with his Seniors…no quote necessary as the expression in his body language told the story…tell the whole wide world! This is Bear Territory!
Witnessing that many pool records fall in a brand new facility makes sense … not a vaunted, historic aquatic center where countless notable meets between Cal, Stanford, USC, UCLA, ASU, Texas, and others have been held over the past few decades.
Photo: Jack Hallahan
What happened in Berkeley, California yesterday was nothing short of a Paris Games sneak preview, as many of the athletes in action will venture to the French capital this summer. Only it was on the hairy, opposite side of any tapers in mid-January.
Selling tickets to PAC 12 Championships? DM me.
It’s going to be swimsanity.
Photo: Jack Hallahan
