BERKELEY – Sophomore Kathleen Baker set a pool record in the 200-yard backstroke and Cal won nine events as the Golden Bears pulled away in the second half of the meet to defeat USC, 165-135, Friday at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
 
Cal held just a two-point lead at the midway point and the Trojans edged ahead after the 200 breaststroke. But the Bears claimed the last four swimming races and finished 2-3 in 1-meter diving to open up the 30-point final margin.
 
"I really thought we rose to the occasion," head coach Teri McKeever said. "Some of the girls probably surprised themselves with their swims, which is great. I thought we were consistent and held together well during the meet. We talked about that and about needing to turn around tomorrow and be just as sharp. That's what we're going to need at Pac-12's and NCAA's."
 
Baker, who captured a silver medal in the 100-meter back at the 2016 Olympics, entered the day as the national leader in the 200-yard back. She came through in record fashion, touching the wall in 1:53.66 to break the pool and Cal dual-meet mark of 1:53.94 set by Elizabeth Pelton three years ago. Baker also won the 200 individual medley in 1:57.13 and took second in the 100 back.
 
Freshman Abbey Weitzeil, also a medalist at the Olympics last summer, won her specialty, the 50 free, in 22.27, with senior Farida Osman right behind in 22.41. Weitzeil was second in the 200 free, but her time of 1:45.01 was a season-best for the Bears.
 
Sophomore Katie McLaughlin captured the 500 free in 4:47.50 and was the runner-up in the 200 fly. Her time of 1:55.62 moves her up to 11th in the country in the event.
 
In the 1000 free, freshman Chenoa Devine set a personal best and posted the No. 10 all-time mark at Cal with her first-place finish in 9:52.51. She was also second to McLaughlin in the 500 free.
 
Other winners for the Bears on the day were Amy Bilquist in the 100 back (52.25) and Noemie Thomas in the 100 fly (52.35). Both are the national leaders and undefeated in their respective events in dual meets this season.
 
In addition, Cal prevailed in both relays. Bilquist, Weitzeil, Thomas and Osman won the opening 200 medley relay in 1:36.83, while Maddie Murphy, Bilquist, Kristen Vredeveld and Osman closed out the afternoon by taking the 400 free relay in 3:17.35.
 
The Bears return to action Saturday when they host UCLA at noon at Spieker Aquatics Complex. Admission is free.