Bears Look Strong To Open Minnesota Invite

MINNEAPOLIS – The second-ranked California men's swimming & diving team had a fantastic day with six relays finishing in the top 10 on the opening day of the Minnesota Invite at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatics Center on Wednesday evening.

Highlighting Cal's strong showing was the performance by Cal's "A" lineup in the 200 medley which finished first with a time of 1:22.84, less than a second shy of the America record set by the Golden Bears at the 2018 NCAA Championships.

The quartet of Bjorn Seeliger, Liam Bell, Dare Rose, and Jack Alexy defeated runner-up Texas by over two seconds. The Bears' time was also fast enough to secure the NCAA A qualifying standard.  

Cal's "B" lineup of Gabriel Jett, Reece Whitley, Matthew Jensen, and Robin Hanson finished sixth with a time of 1:25.63. Cal's "C" relay of Kai Crews, Forrest Frazier, Destin Lasco, and Colby Hatton captured 10th with a time of 1:26.07.

The 800 free relay was a showdown between the Bears and Texas. The Longhorns took first with a time of 6:08.79. Cal's "A" lineup of Patrick Callan, Jett, Hanson, and Lasco finished with a time of 6:10.35. Lasco's split time of 1:30.79 was the second-fastest time by any swimmer in the event.

The Bears' "B" lineup of Alexy, Rose, Colby Mefford, and Dylan Hawk took sixth with a time of 6:23.33.

UP NEXT
Day two of the Minnesota Invite begins tomorrow morning with the prelims of the 500 free, 200 IM, and 50 free. The prelims for the 500 free begin at 10:40 a.m. CST/8:40 a.m. PT.  

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