BERKELEY – With final exams having just completed and training returning to more grueling routines, Cal and San Jose State staged a dual meet Wednesday with a unique set of races, a lineup that ranged from a 300-yard backstroke relay to a 150-yard individual medley. In the end, the Golden Bears came out on top by a score of 132-78 by winning 11 of the 12 events.
 
"We wanted to swim some non-traditional distances and events," Cal head coach Teri McKeever said. "Our goal was to get some things out of heads a little bit, race and have fun, and not make it too serious. I thought we had some really nice swims for how physically and emotionally tired people are this time of year. It seemed San Jose State enjoyed themselves, as well, so hopefully, we can keep doing this."
 
Of the 12 races, only the 50 free ranked as a normal event, and that didn't come until event No. 8. Junior Amy Bilquist got to the wall first in 23.28, followed by sophomore Maddie Murphy (23.52) and freshman Robin Neumann (23.72).
 
The day started with the 300 back relay won by the Cal threesome of Aislinn Light, Keaton Blovad and Bilquist in 2:43.06. A 300 breaststroke relay and a 300 butterfly relay followed.
 
In addition to Bilquist, other Golden Bear individuals to prevail were: Chenoa Devine in the 800 free (7:57.30), Abbey Weitzeil in the 150 free (1:18.74), Sarah Darcel in the 300 IM (3:09.64), Noemie Thomas in the 150 fly (1:28.84), Katie McLaughlin in the 300 free (2:51.02) and Ali Harrison in the 150 breast (1:40.26).
 
The afternoon concluded with perhaps the most unusual of races – a 250-yard free relay in which teams had to swim legs of 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards in any order they chose. Ultimately, Devine, Blovad, Weitzeil and Murphy edged Bilquist, Jenna Campbell, Light and McLaughlin, 2:00.76 to 2:00.86.
 
Cal returns to action the weekend of Jan. 19-20 when the Bears host Arizona State and Arizona in their final home meets of the season.