UCLA swim and dive defeated Arizona 157-141 in a close contest last season, marking the first time the Bruins had pulled off such a feat in 12 years. But that wasn’t the entire story. The Bruins edged ahead after the then-No.9 Wildcats who had both relay teams disqualified due to logistical confusion.
Logistical complications aside, the Bruins hope to replicate last season’s success against Arizona this weekend.
Swim and dive heads to Tucson, Ariz., for a rematch today to take on No. 11 Arizona,followed by a matchup against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., on Saturday. Both UCLA and Arizona are currently undefeated, while Arizona State fell to Minnesota in its season opener on Oct. 5.
UCLA enters the competition fresh off last Friday’s quad meet in which it swept UC Santa Barbara, Oregon State and Florida Gulf Coast.
“After a meet you just kind of have to put your thinking cap on, refocus, get back in practice and just do everything that you can to make yourself better for the next week,” said freshman swimmer Madison White.
This weekend’s meets mark the first time the Bruins have been on the road since taking on the University of San Diego Toreros in San Diego on Oct. 19.
“There definitely are challenges (to being on the road). It’s not your home pool, it’s something you’re not used to,” said junior swimmer Noelle Tarazona. “You don’t have … as many fans in the stands from your own team. And then there may be a little bit of jet lag from the traveling and people may be tired. … (But) we’re prepared, we’re excited and we’ll do well.”
Aside from jet lag, an additional challenge for the dive team will be facing Arizona’s Samantha Pickens, the most recent Pac-12 diver of the year and national champion in the 1-meter dive.
“She’s in another place right now in terms of maybe where the rest of us are,” said dive coach Tom Stebbins. “(The meet) is highly competitive and so I think our goal is to just dive at the highest level we’re possibly able to and see how the results fall. If that means we get by them, we do, and if we don’t, we don’t, but at least we’ll know we didn’t take ourselves out of any contest.”
White holds a similar philosophy, stating that her goals for the weekend are to focus mainly on improving her own time and becoming a more supportive teammate.
“I personally don’t get too intimidated by the bigger matchups,” White said. “It’s important to focus on yourself and be confident in all the preparation leading up to the meet (and) know that you’ve done everything you can and that’s going to help you get through the meet.”