Bears Continue Strong Weekend In Georgia
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Michael Jensen Continued His Strong Fall Saturday In Georgia (Skip Stubbs)

Bears Continue Strong Weekend In Georgia

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ATHENS, Ga. – After a strong first day at the Georgia Fall Invitational, the Cal men's swimming team didn't let off the gas pedal at all on day two as the Bears rolled to more race wins and kept the team lead entering the final day at the University of Georgia.

With 574 points, Cal leads the team competition. Georgia is next with 520 while Auburn is third with 472.

In much the same fashion as Friday, Cal used a big performance in the night's opening 200-yard medley relay to get momentum going. The team of Ryan Murphy, Connor Hoppe, Pawel Sendyk and Michael Jensen turned in a time of 1:23.76 to beat second place Florida State by nearly two seconds. The time was well below the NCAA A standard and stands as the top time in the country so far this year.

The Bears were just getting started. Andrew Seliskar placed third behind Olympic silver medalist Chase Kalisz and fellow Olympian Jay Litherland in the 400 individual medley but his time of 3:39.54 gave the sophomore his A standard in the event.

The 100 butterfly came next and Cal returned to the winner's circle, with Justin Lynch posting a time of 45.85 that was just outside the NCAA A cut. One race later, it was Cal again with the victory as freshman Michael Jensen outdueled Litherland to win the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:33.76. Fellow freshman 'Aukai Lileikis placed fourth and Ryan Kao won the B final in a time that would've placed him fifth in the A final.

A tremendous morning showing put four Cal swimmers in the A final and one in the B final of the 100 breaststroke and the Bears followed that with a good showing at night. Connor Hoppe finished second, Carson Sand placed third, Hunter Cobleigh took sixth and Matt Whittle placed eighth in the A final while Zach Stevens took fourth in the B final.

With an already strong day in hand, Murphy stepped to the blocks for the 100 backstroke and stayed true to his usual form, winning in a time of 44.61 that was well below the NCAA A standard. That left only the 800 freestyle relay to close out the night and the team of Seliskar, Jensen, Lileikis and Murphy closed with a flourish, posting a time of 6:16.22 to win by over two seconds.

Action wraps up Sunday with the 1,650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly and 400 free relay.
 
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