FEDERAL WAY, WASH. – The Cal Men's Swimming and Diving team started the 2015 Pac-12 Championships in fine fashion, capturing the opening event, the 200 medley relay and was third in the 800 free relay during the opening night's competition.

The Golden Bears sit in second place after the first two events of the Pac-12 meet at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash., trailing USC, 74-72.

The Golden Bears touched first with a 1:24.16 time in the 200 medley relay consisting of sophomore Ryan Murphy (back), senior Chuck Katis (breast), freshman Justin Lynch (fly) and junior Tyler Messerschmidt (free). Cal has been crowned conference champions in the 200 medley relay three out of the last four Pac-12 Championships.

In the 800 free relay, the Bears came in third place with a time of 6:19.30 behind swims from junior Trent Williams, senior Seth Stubblefield, sophomore Long Gutierrez and senior Will Hamilton. 

Conference competition resumes Thursday, Mar. 5 with the 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 1 mtr diving, and the 200 free relay. Cal has four swimmers seeded top five in the 200 IM, junior Josh Pernot (1:43.88), senior Will Hamilton (1:44.21), sophomore Ryan Murphy (1:45.05) and senior Chuck Katis (1:45.36). Cal holds the second seed in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:17.97. 

The Golden Bears are aiming to capture the Pac-12 team championship for the third consecutive year after winning in 2013 and 2014.