UCLA swim and dive has been listening to guest speakers talk about Bruin pride and the history of the UCLA-USC rivalry.
In the week leading up to Friday’s dual meet, coach Cyndi Gallagher had UCLA coaches and coaching alumni speak to the team about their own experiences with the crosstown rivalry and what being a Bruin means to them. This year’s speakers included Bob Fields, who worked with the UCLA football team for 22 years, and John Speraw, the current men’s volleyball coach.
“They talked about being humble and focusing on your preparation – trusting your coaches and yourself and your teammates and having great Bruin pride,” Gallagher said.
She said she sees the value in having other coaches recount their own stories to show the team the legacy of competing against USC.
“This is bigger than them,” Gallagher said.
Despite the pressure that comes with an age-old competitive relationship, however, the team said it’s is more eager than anything.
“It’s always the meet that we get most excited for,” said senior Jessica Khojasteh, whose brother swims for USC. “We haven’t beaten them in a few years and that kind of makes us more excited.”
Khojasteh said that although the competition against ‘SC is just a dual meet, the team will be competing in its fast suits, which are usually reserved for championships.
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“We’re going into a hostile environment,” Gallagher said.
A part of that hostile environment will be the USC men’s swim team, which is expected to attend the meet.
“They’re always not so nice when we go there,” Gallagher said.
She added that UCLA is often looked down upon for not having a men’s team.
The manner of the rivalry between the schools, in which USC holds an overall 24-16 edge, often contributes to intense competitiveness.
Gallagher said that, before this same meet roughly 10 years ago, she and the previous coach for the USC women’s team agreed not to wear fast suits. When the ‘SC team came out of the locker room, however, they were in their championship suits.
“I was so angry because we had just had a conversation about not doing that, but he wanted to win,” Gallagher said. “In hindsight … I realize that he had to do what he had to do.”
USC swam, according to Gallagher, “amazingly.” Most, if not all of the pool records are from that meet.
Regardless of the gravity of this particular weekend, Gallagher said she recognizes this meet is not the be-all and end-all of the swim and dive team.
“What really counts is how we do at Pac-12s and NCAAs,” she said.
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In the midst of heightened emotions and intense competitive spirit, there are those who are not swayed by the hype.
“I see every competition the same no matter who I’m competing against,” said sophomore diver Annika Lenz. “I just try to focus on my own dives.”
Lenz dove with the USC club team for seven years before transferring to SoCal Divers for another three. She said she grew up loving ‘SC, and consequently doesn’t get into an overly competitive spirit just for this dual meet.
Lenz’s father is also a doctor at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, which further adds to her friendly association with the school.
“I can’t really hate USC,” she said.
So as the Bruins take the ride across town to USC Friday, each will have varied mentalities. Some will be fired up from the rivalry while some will be approaching it with a bit less animosity. Above all, UCLA will be looking for its first win against USC since 2007.