Briefs

Published: Friday, January 31, 2003

Swimming faces Stanford, Cal

Entering the final leg of the 2003 Pac-10 season, the Bruin swim team is diving into choppy water. No. 13 UCLA (5-1, 2-1, Pac-10) travels to the Bay Area this weekend to race in two pivotal conference meets.

The Bruins will take on No. 4 Stanford (5-2, 1-1 Pac-10) in Palo Alto on Friday and No. 9 California (5-2, 1-1 Pac-10) on Saturday.

“The team is swimming very well, we are looking very fast,” said UCLA junior Taylor Spivey. “We are excited to swim against these top teams; I think we will give them a run for the money.”

The Stanford Cardinal has been a perennial obstacle for the Bruins, defeating UCLA in 20 of its last 21 meets. The defending Pac-10 champion is led by Cardinal Tara Kirk, who has never lost a collegiate race in the 100-meter breaststroke.

The Golden Bears (5-2, 1-1 Pac-10) should also provide UCLA with brutally-tough competition, having taken 11-of-20 meets against the Bruins in the all-time series.

“There is a lot of competition up north,” two-time NCAA qualifier Kristin Lewis said.

Compiled by David Graham-Caso.