This weekend was a record-setting one for UCLA swimmers, as the swim and dive team traveled to Austin for the Texas Invitational. Bruins broke UCLA records in the 100-meter backstroke, 200m medley relay and the 400m free relay.
The trip to Austin came at a potentially inopportune time for the Bruins because of finals. According to coach Cyndi Gallagher, athletes took tests on the road and this weekend may not have been the best time for a meet.
She noted how well the team did at managing, however.
“When they were studying, they were studying, and when they were swimming they were swimming,” Gallagher said.
And manage the Bruins did. Freshman Linnea Mack played a part in breaking two school records. She broke the UCLA record in the 100m backstroke and placed third in that event. She was also a part of the 200m medley relay team that broke the UCLA record.
“I definitely wasn’t focusing on (the records), but I was really excited and all of my teammates were really excited for me,” Mack said.
Senior Lauren Baker was excited for Mack and freshman Madison White, who placed fourth in the 100m backstroke.
“Maddie and Linnea stepped it up, and I think the future for UCLA swimming looks really good,” Baker said about the performance of the freshmen.
Baker herself won the 1650m free. Mack was impressed by the manner in which she attacked the race, while Baker was happy to see her training pay off.
“I was really trying to focus on swimming my own race,” Baker said.