Leah Polonsky Wins Twice as Cal Tops UCLA
Leah Polonsky won two individual events Saturday as California beat UCLA, 187-106, at the Spieker Aquatics Complex.
Polonsky was one of 17 Golden Bears celebrating Senior Day. The Israel international and Paris Olympian went 48.73 to best teammate McKenna Stone in a 1-2 in the 100 freestyle. Polonsky led a podium sweep in the 200 butterfly with her time of 1:55.13, and she also posted the fastest time in an exhibitioned swim in the 400 individual medley of 4:11.29.
Cal coasted in this meeting of former Pac-12 foes in Berkeley. Maya Geringer claimed the 500 free and 1,000 free. Second to her in the 500 was Lilou Ressencourt, who had won the 200 free. Stephanie Akakbota’s time of 22.44 made it a freestyle sweep for the Golden Bears, with Megan Brophy second.
Isabelle Stadden won the 100 fly and was second to Ressencourt in the 200 free. Mary-Ambre Moluh won the 100 back in 51.83 and finished second to teammate Finley Anderson in the 200 back. Stadden, Margaux McDonald, Ressencourt and Brophy teamed to win the 400 medley relay in 3:29.85, while Stadden, Moluh, Brophy and Stone combined for a time of 1:28.26 in the 200 free relay, Stadden leading off in 22.08.
UCLA started the meet by setting a program record in the 400 medley relay. Fay Lustria, Karolina Piechowicz, Emma Harvey and Ana Jih-Schiff went 3:31.94 to erase the program mark.
UCLA won both breaststroke events. Eva Carlson won the 200 breast and was third in the 100, won by Piechowicz’s time of 59.59. Eden Cheng swept both diving events, with a winning score of 314.50 points on 3-meter. Ashley Kolessar was second in the 1,000 free and third in the 500. Harvey finished second in the 100 back and third in the 100 fly.
