By
Lindsey Manroel
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Beard sets U.S. record in Cats' win over Stanford
In an attempt to recapture its status in the Pacific 10 Conference, the Arizona women's swim team pulled off an impressive sweep against two of the leagues top teams - California and Stanford.
"I didn't have any expectations (of the girls)," head coach Frank Busch said. "I knew it would be a good meet, and it turned out to be a good meet."
In a showdown at the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center this Friday and Saturday afternoon, Arizona had no difficulty defeating the Golden Bears, 146-97.
In only her second meet back after taking home the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, sophomore Amanda Beard took home a win in the 200 Individual Medley with a time of 2:02.96 and the 200 breast, 2:14.59.
However, the highlight for the UA swimmer came against Stanford. With the match separated by just a few points, Beard captured the win in the 200 breaststroke, swimming a time of 2:11.02. The win not only broke open the meet as Arizona went on to defeat the Cardinal, 135.5-107.5, but Beard's performance was recorded as the fastest time in the nation.
"Right before I swam, they announced the points, and I was nervous. But pressure pushes me through the water," Beard said.
The men - seeking revenge against Cal following a close defeat in the 1999-00 season and hoping to upset Stanford for just the second time in Arizona history - were not able to get the job done.
Cal defeated Arizona, 129-112 before Stanford blew the Wildcats out of the water, 147-96.
"There were mixed emotions (about UA's performance)," sophomore Jeff Dash said. "They (Stanford) swam better than us. We beat them last year and they rubbed it in our face. But we came out with a lot of passion."
On both the men and women's side, the UA diving program put on an impressive performance.
"The divers are out of this world," Dash said. "They're unbelievably strong and probably the best team in the country."
Senior Adrian David took home a first place finish in the three meter and a second place finish in the one meter, while teammate Lindsay Berryman took second and third in both events respectively against the Cardinal.
In the three-meter dive on the men's side, Arizona took home a top-four position sweep.
Senior Omar Ojeda brought home a first-place finish in the men's three meter while teammate Rubin Vaca took the title in the one meter.
After battling two of the Pac-10's toughest squads, Arizona - not known as an outstanding dual meet team- has the Pac-10 and NCAA Championships on mind.
"We're getting ready for the Pac-10s, to show everyone where we are," Beard said. "And at the NCAA's, we are going to blow everyone out of the water."
