BERKELEY – On a day when Cal knocked off North Carolina State in a morning dual meet, the results took a backseat to what followed the competition. In a room just off the deck at Legends Aquatic Center, more than 200 alumnae, current Golden Bears and friends of Cal women's swimming & diving celebrated head coach Teri McKeever and her 25 years leading the program.
 
Director of Athletics Mike Williams, Chancellor Carol Christ, swimming alums Caitlin Leverenz Smith and Dana Vollmer, and former assistant coach Kathie Wickstrand all noted the accomplishments and impact McKeever has made on the Cal program, and swimming overall, during her long career.
 
"I've been so incredibly blessed – all of us have – to have had such an amazing role model in our lives," Vollmer said. "I've learned so much. The quality I admire most is that I truly feel that Teri cares about each individual woman more than their times in the pool."
 
Perhaps the highlight came when donor Michael Go announced the formation of the Teri McKeever Scholarship, which will be awarded to a deserving women's swimmer beginning with the 2018-19 school year.
 
"I really don't have words," McKeever said. "More than anything, I just want to say thank you. I feel so fortunate, the older I get, of the environment I grew up in where that drive for excellence and being your best and challenging yourself is rooted in all of us. To look around the room and see people that are just starting their journey and people that are 20 years beyond their journey and have their own kids … it's really hard to put into words. I've been able to achieve everything I've wanted in my life and more."
 
At the meet itself, junior Kathleen Baker won the 100-yard back, the 200-yard back and the 200-yard individual medley to lead Cal to a 176-124 victory over NC State. Baker is the reigning NCAA champion in each of those races.
 
In addition, Abbey Weitzeil captured the 50 and 100 free, while freshman Briana Thai earned victories on both diving boards.
 
Others to get to the wall first were: Robin Neumann in the 200 free (1:48.28), Ali Harrison in the 100 breast (1:03.43), Katie McLaughlin in the 200 fly (1:58.39) and Noemie Thomas in the 100 fly (53.01). Cal also won both the 200 medley relay to open the meet and the 400 free relay to conclude the morning. Overall, Cal captured 13 of the 16 events.
 
Now 3-0 on the year, Cal next hosts Nevada on Nov. 17 at Spieker Aquatics Center.