SAN LUIS OBISPO – Retaining the crown she won last September, sophomore Celina Li again captured the Queen of the Pool title at Cal's season-opening meet held at Cal Poly Friday afternoon.

The unique competition, featuring swimmers from Cal and Cal Poly, combines 100-yard times from five races – 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard individual medley – to determine an overall winner.

Despite not claiming an individual event, Li finished first in 4:42.90, improving on her mark of 4:43.10 from last year. Junior Elizabeth Pelton was second in 4:45.34, followed by junior Rachel Bootsma (4:47.02), junior Kelly Naze (4:50.20) and freshman Jasmine Mau (4:51.59).

Five different Bears won individual races with freshman Noemie Thomas claiming the 100 fly (53.59), Bootsma the 100 back (54.67), sophomore Marina Garcia the 100 breast (1:03.84), sophomore Missy Franklin the 100 free (50.27) and Pelton the 100 IM (56.21). Li was either second or third in each event.

“We've had less than 10 workouts, so this meet comes early for us,” head coach Teri McKeever said. “Still, it was a spirited and enjoyable afternoon. Today was a shared experience, and tomorrow we'll introduce the ocean experience to our program. We'll also get a chance to compete in coed relays, which are always fun. We're looking forward to it.”

The King/Queen of the Pool racing continues Saturday with coed relays featuring swimmers from both Cal and Cal Poly.

The Bears remain on the road for their next competition, the All Florida Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., Oct. 3-5 before opening their home season Oct. 23 vs. Oregon State.