Cardinal men favored to splash past Cal Cardinal men favored to splash past Cal (February 20, 2004)

Swim rivalry between unbeaten teams set for Saturday; Cardinal men's tennis also plays host to California this weekend

by Keith Peters

It's a battle of the unbeatens. Moreover, it's a battle between the Stanford and Cal men's swim teams. That says it all.

Both teams will be out to make their own statements in their annual clash, this one set for Saturday at Stanford's Avery Aquatic Center at 1 p.m.

The Cardinal (3-0 in the Pac-10, 6-0 overall) come into the meet ranked No. 2 nationally, while the Bears (3-0, 5-0) are No. 4 heading into the final regular-season dual meet for both teams. Stanford has won 32 straight dual meets dating to Jan. 22, 2000 and hold a 92-13 edge over Cal in the rivalry's history.

Both teams will use the meet not only for bragging rights, but as a final tuneup for the Pac-10 Championships, March 4-6 in Long Beach and the NCAA Championships from March 25-27 in Long Island, N.Y.

Last season, the two met when Stanford was ranked No. 1 and Cal No. 3. The Cardinal swam away with a 173-112 victory to finish the season undefeated. Stanford swimmers left their mark on Cal's Spieker Aquatics Complex, setting six pool records.

Cardinal swimmers hold some of the best times in the nation this season. Senior Peter Marshall ranks first in the 100 back, sixth in the 200 back, fifth in the 100 fly and 12th in the 100 free. Senior Markus Rogan ranks second in the 200 back, second in the 400 IM, fourth in the 100 back and fifth in the 200 IM.

Freshman Ben Wildman-Tobriner checks in ranked 19th in the 50 free and 21st in the 100 free. Junior Jayme Cramer is ranked fourth in the 200 fly, sixth in the 200 free, 10th in the 500 free and 11th in the 100 fly. Freshman Hongzhe Sun is fourth in the 200 back and 13th in the 100 back while fellow freshman Shaun Phillips is fifth in the 1650 free. Junior Gary Marshall checks in ranked 11th in the 200 breast.

Cal is led by senior Alex Lim, who has the nation's fastest time in the 200-yard backstroke this season of 1:41.77. Sprinter Duje Draganja is also among the nation's leaders in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles.

Stanford's considerable depth, however, should be enough to keep the Cardinal undefeated this season.
Football

Buddy Teevens completed his Stanford football staff with the hiring of George McDonald as tight ends coach. Tom Quinn will move to defensive ends from tight ends.

McDonald coached wide receivers at Northern Illinois the past three years.

"George brings with him experience in the passing game both as a coach and player on the major college level," said Teevens. "He's a great fit for our program and will be a great addition to our coaching staff."
Softball

Stanford (8-1) plays on the road for the first time this season when it participates in the Palm Springs Classic beginning today.

The eighth-ranked Cardinal open the tournament against Northwestern at 3:30 p.m., and will then play the USA National Team, featuring Stanford grad Jessica Mendoza, at 8 p.m.

Freshman Jackie Rinehart has helped the Cardinal to their fast start with four stolen bases. Stanford has successfully stolen a base in 12 of 15 attempts. Rinehart also leads the team with 13 hits and nine runs.

Mendoza, a four-time first-team All-American while at Stanford, holds the school record for career batting average (.416), hits (327), doubles (70), homeruns (50), runs scored (230) and stolen bases (86).
Women's sailing

Stanford finished third at the College pf Charleston race in South Carolina over the weekend.

The duo of Jen Porter and Anna Vu finished second in the A Division.
Men's tennis

Third-ranked Stanford (4-2) hosts undefeated Cal on Saturday at 1 p.m. and hopes to rebound from its first loss of the season.

Freshman James Wan, the 2001 Junior National Champion, has made an immediate impact on the Stanford line-up with his team-best 11-2 record.
Women's tennis

Stanford's match against visiting Fresno State on Tuesday was postponed due to rain and rescheduled for Wednesday, March 3, at 1:30 p.m. at Taube Tennis Center.
Women's lacrosse

Stanford beat visiting St. Mary's, 13-9, as Abbi Hills and Sarah Bach each scored three goals.

The Cardinal were scheduled to meet host Cal on Thursday.
Men's volleyball

Stanford opens to get back on the winning track when it travels to Brigham Young for a pair of matches this weekend.

The 11th-ranked Cardinal play today and Saturday at 7 p.m.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]