Swimmers split with Cal, swept by top-ranked Stanford

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat UA freshman Ryk Neethling took first in the men's 500 and 1000 freestyle on Saturday against Stanford at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center. Neethling also took first in the same events on Friday against California. The UA's next meet is against Loyla Marymont on Feb. 8.

But head coach Frank Busch was confident the air of disapointment wouldn't last.

"It's not going to effect the kids," he said.

The men fell by a score of 140-101 and the women went down 150-82. The men had come in with a No. 12 ranking and the women were No. 5.

Ryk Neethling won two events for the Wildcats, the 1000-meter freestyle (9 minutes 11.26 seconds) and the 500m freestyle (4:32.18). Neethling's time in the 1000 was the fifth fastest in the nation this year.

The Wildcats also claimed the top three spots in the 50m freestyle with Jason Orozco (21.09), Abe Wick (21.43) and Justin Roth (21.44) finishing 1-2-3. Adam Grodzki won the 200m freestyle with a time of 1:40.51, the only other event that the Arizona men won.

Busch did not feel that the absence of some members of the women's team, including Trina Jackson and Ashley Tappin, lead to the defeat.

"We had three key performers sick, but that's no excuse. You have to be ready to compete with or without them," he said.

Denali Knapp was the lone Arizona swimmer to win an event on the women's side. She claimed the 200m backstroke with a time of 2:00.09. Knapp also finished second in the 200m individual medley with a time of 2:03.28, less than a second behind Stanford's Chantal Rawn (2:02.47).

Arizona's divers did capture three of the four events on the day. Kevin Francis finished first in both the 1-meter diving (252.45) and the 3-meter (263.925), while Andrea Glass beat out teammate Adrian David in the women's 3m by a score of 306.075 to 269.85.

"Despite the loss, I am still pleased with most of the performances today," Busch said. "Today's meet was a positive experience for us. We need to swim in competitive meets to prepare us for the NCAA's in March."

On Friday the Wildcats split a dual meet with California with the women winning by a score of 157-85 while the men fell, 151-101.

Laurie Kline won both the 1000m (10:07.08) and the 500m freestyle (4:54.75). Shannon Hosack triumphed in the 50m (23.74) and 100m freestyle (51.45).

Australia Olympic team member Anna Wilson's first meet as a Wildcat was a winning one. She finished first in the 200m breaststroke (2:23.72).

The women's 400m medley relay team of of Knapp, Tappin, Liesl Kolbisen and Tina Smith beat out Cal's top team by a time of 3:49.03 to 3:49.69.

Neethling also had a solid performance on Friday, winning the 1000m (9:25.39) and the 500m freestyle (4:34.41). Francis claimed the top spot in the one-meter dive on Friday as well with a score of 266.55.

Next up for the Wildcats is a trip to Austin, Texas for a meet with the Longhorns this Friday and Saturday. The Texas men are ranked No. 3 and the women are No. 9. The Wildcats return home on February 8 against Loyola Marymount.