LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Bruins are back in action this week when they host Kansas and Boise State on Friday, January 6. The tri-meet takes place at UCLA's Spieker Aquatics Center at 12 pm PT.
UCLA boasts an 8-1 record, which includes wins over Pac-12 foes Arizona and Arizona State. Against the Wildcats, the Bruins came from behind to win as Eloise Belanger sealed the deal in the 1-meter diving event. Completing the sweep of the Arizona schools, the Bruins won 10 of 16 events against the Sun Devils. UCLA's lone loss is at the hands of Washington State on the road.
Between the lane lines, the Bruin freshmen have made an immediate impact. Kenisha Liu has racked up eight dual-meet wins, while Amy Okada has notched five. Liu has recorded the top time in the 200 Free four times this season while also tallying two wins in the 200 IM. The newcomer also posted a new freshman record in the 200 IM (1:58.09) at the Texas Invitational in December. Dominating the butterfly events, Okada owns three wins in the 200 Fly and two in the 100 Fly.
Seniors Katy Campbell and Michaela Merlihan have dominated the distance freestyle events, the former winning three 1000 Free events and the latter twice posting the top time in the 500 Free. Senior Linnea Mack posted two dual-meet wins in the 100 Free and one in the splash and dash, while also breaking her own school record in the 50 Free (21.93) in the championship final at the Texas Invite. Rounding out the dominant senior performances, Madison White owns four wins in the backstroke.
On the boards, Belanger has won eight events this season, earning her Pac-12 Diver of the Month honors for the month of December. Also posting top marks, junior Maria Polyakova won the 1-meter event while senior Annika Lenz took the platform at the UGA Fall Invite in December. In the Bruins' home opener back in October, Lenz swept the springboard events.
Kansas is 3-1 on the season and Boise State is 1-0. The Bruins are 4-0 all-time against the Jayhawks and 3-0 against the Broncos.
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