The UCLA swim and dive program is set to compete in its first road conference dual meets of the 2019-20 season this weekend, traveling east to take on the Arizona schools. Divers will be competing for the first time this year.
The Bruins (3-0, 1-0 Pac-12) will face off with Arizona (2-1, 0-1) on Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m before tangling with No. 25 Arizona State (1-0, 1-0) on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. The ASU meet will be streamed here.
UCLA is coming off a decisive 162-100 victory over MPSF-member UC Santa Barbara last Friday, Oct. 25. The Bruins won 12 of 14 events in that meet, led by Daniella Hawkins (500 free, 1000 free), Amy Okada Okada (200 free, 100 fly), Maisie Jameson (50 free, 100 free), and Kenisha Liu (200 breast, 200 IM).
The Bruins also claimed the top time in both relay races despite some new-look lineups featuring two freshmen (Gabby Dang, Brooke Schaffer) in the winning 200 medley team and three freshmen (Dang, Schaffer, Rachel Rhee) in the winning 400 free team.
UCLA also won its first two meet of the year, topping Utah 177-84 on Oct. 11 and winning the USD Pentathlon to open the season on Sept. 13.
The Bruins secured tight victories over the Wildcats and Sun Devils at home last year, topping Arizona 161-139 on Nov. 2, 2018 before edging ASU by a score of 160-140 the following day.
Last year's showdown against Arizona came down to the final relay of the day, the 400 free. The Bruins' A Team of Kenisha Liu, Claire Grover, Amy Okada, and Ella Kirschke won that race by over three seconds at 3:22.15 to cement the win. Liu had an especially impressive day against the Wildcats – in addition to her leadoff leg in the meet-deciding relay, she won the 100 free, 200 free, and finished second in the 50 free.
Since-graduated senior Maria Polyakova was key to UCLA's triumph over ASU in 2018, winning both 1M and 3M while setting a school and Dirks Pool record with a 355.50 score in the 1M. Amy Okada (100 back, 200 back) and Claire Grover (100 free, 100 breast) both captured multiple event wins as well.
UCLA is 20-17 all-time against Arizona in dual meets and 26-9-1 against ASU.
Fans can follow along with the meet on Twitter by checking @UCLASwimAndDive.