Get ready for a thrilling showdown in the pool! The rivalry between Stanford and Cal just reached new heights, as the #2 Stanford women’s swim team narrowly defeated the #6 Cal Bears, 154-145, in a dual meet that had fans on the edge of their seats. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: this wasn’t just a win—it was a battle of precision, strategy, and sheer determination, setting the stage for the upcoming ACC Championships. And this is the part most people miss: the meet wasn’t just about the final score; it was a showcase of individual brilliance, record-breaking performances, and the rise of new stars in the swimming world.
On January 31, 2026, the Spieker Aquatic Center in Berkeley, California, hosted this electrifying short-course yards meet, where both teams came suited and ready to compete. The results, available on Meet Mobile under “Stanford vs CAL Women’s Dual Meet,” tell a story of evenly matched rivals. Each team claimed one relay and six individual victories, but Stanford’s edge came from standout performances that tipped the scales in their favor.
Stanford senior Lucy Bell emerged as the Cardinal’s MVP, dominating the breaststroke events and the 200 IM. Her 100 breast win in 57.60 edged out Cal freshman Silje Slyngstadli, who still managed to set a new Cal school record of 58.21. But it was Bell’s 200 breast performance that truly stunned the crowd. Clocking in at 2:03.72, she not only won by over six seconds but also improved her NCAA title time from the previous year, catapulting herself to the 8th-fastest performer in the event’s history. Is Lucy Bell the next big name in women’s breaststroke? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Here’s a look at the top 10 all-time performers in the women’s 200 breaststroke, where Bell now holds the 8th spot:
- Kate Douglass (Virginia) – 2:01.29, 2023 NCAA Championships
- Alex Walsh (Virginia) – 2:02.07, 2024 NCAA Championships
- Lilly King (Indiana) – 2:02.60, 2018 NCAA Championships
- Bethany Galat (Texas A&M) & Anna Elendt (Texas) – 2:03.26, 2018 & 2023 NCAA Championships
- N/A
- Kierra Smith (Minnesota) – 2:03.55, 2017 NCAA Championships
- Sydney Pickrem (Texas A&M) – 2:03.65, 2019 NCAA Championships
- Lucy Bell (Stanford) – 2:03.72, 2026 Stanford vs. Cal Dual Meet*
- Sophie Hansson (NC State) – 2:03.75, 2022 ACC Championships
- Mona McSharry (Tennessee) – 2:03.84, 2024 SEC Championships
Bell didn’t stop there—she capped her day with a commanding win in the 200 IM, finishing in 1:52.50, just shy of her personal best. Torri Huske, another Stanford senior, added to the Cardinal’s success with wins in the 50 free (21.76) and 100 free (46.62), though her times were off her season bests. Meanwhile, Gigi Johnson secured Stanford’s final individual win in the 100 fly with a time of 50.76, inching closer to her career-best.
Cal’s freshmen Claire Weinstein and Teagan O’Dell proved they’re forces to be reckoned with. Weinstein swept the 200 free (1:42.13) and 500 free (4:38.65), while O’Dell dominated the backstroke events, setting a personal best of 50.51 in the 100 back. Camille Henveaux outlasted Stanford’s Bailey O’Regan in the 1000 free, and Mia West edged out Caroline Bricker in a nail-biting 200 fly finish.
The meet’s most thrilling moment? The 200 medley relay, where Stanford’s Annam Olawasere anchored a come-from-behind victory by just 0.01 seconds. The 400 free relay closed the meet, with Stanford’s team of Olawasere, Johnson, Lucy Thomas, and Huske securing the win in 3:09.61, showcasing their sprint depth.
But here’s the controversial question: Did Stanford’s senior leadership make the difference, or did Cal’s freshmen simply run out of steam? Share your take below!
Both teams now shift their focus to the ACC Swimming and Diving Championships, February 15-21 in Atlanta, Georgia. Diving events kick off February 15-17, followed by swimming from February 17-21. Who will rise to the top? Only time will tell. Don’t miss it!
