Dec. 9, 2003

PRINCETON, N.J. - Natalie Coughlin and Ashley Chandler won three individual events each as the No. 9 ranked California women's swimming & diving team won the Princeton Invitational by more than 200 points over the host and second-place Tigers last Sunday.

The Golden Bears (1,022 points to Princeton's 841) had another strong performance from Coughlin, who won the 200 IM in a Cal record and DeNunzio Pool-best 1:55.46. The Cal senior's time was nearly seven seconds faster than second-place finisher and teammate Natalie Griffith (2:02.04). Bears sophomore Helen Silver was third in a time of 2:04.03. Coughlin also won the 100 backstroke (55.01) and the 200 back (1:51.42).

Chandler won the 1650 freestyle (16:34.64), 500 free (4:47.34) and 200 free (1:47.34). Cal also had individual wins by Griffith in the 400 IM (4:15.86), Erin Reilly in the 100 butterfly (55.01), Marcelle Miller in the 200 breaststroke (2:18.11) and Flora Kong in the 200 fly (2:02.32).

Coach Teri McKeever's team had a strong showing in the relays, winning the 800 free relay (Cal record 7:09.37, Reilly, Coughlin, Micha Burden, Lauren Medina), 200 free relay (1:33.43, Coughlin, Danielle Becks, Emma Palsson, Keiko Amano), 400 medley relay (3:42.34, Silver, Coughlin, Anne Babicz, Danielle Becks) and 200 medley relay (1:42.34, Silver, Babicz, Coughlin, Becks).

Cal is back in action next month, when the Bears host Arizona on Jan. 23 and Arizona State on Jan. 24 at Spieker Aquatics Complex.

More results from the three-day Princeton Invitational to come.

Princeton Swimming & Diving Invitational - 12/5/03 to 12/7/03
Team Ranking & Scores

1 Cal 1,022 points
2 Princeton 841
3 Rutgers 554
4 Villanova 424
5 Northeastern 335
6 Boston College 268
7 St. John's 151
8 Rider 84
9 American 65
10 Cal Aquatics 54
11 Massachusetts 21
12 Columbia 20