In a meet decided by two hundredths of a second, No. 13 Arizona women’s swimming and diving edged 21st-ranked UCLA 155-145 as UA improved to 5-0 on the season.
Two events were decided by one one-hundredth of a second, both Arizona victories, creating a 12-point swing, which turned out to be the margin of victory for the Wildcats.
Arizona’s 400 medley team of Bonnie Brandon, Sara Borendame, Elizabeth Pepper and Taylor Schick finished in 3:41.85, narrowly defeating UCLA’s Madison White, Allison Wine, Noelle Tarazona and Linnea Mack, who finished in 3:41.86 in the meet’s first event.
Later, freshman Alexandra Martelle edged UCLA’s Arlyn Upshaw in the 200 IM by one one-hundredth of a second, 2:04.51-2:04.52.
The two razor-thin victories helped propel Arizona to victory.
Including the 400 medley, Arizona won the meet’s first six events. Tjasa Oder won the 1000 free (9:47.39), Taylor Schick won the 200 free (1:48.94), Brandon won the 100 back (54.72), Emma Schoettmer won the 100 yard breast (1:02.12) and Pepper won the 200 fly (1:59.79).
In addition to Brandon’s 400 medley relay and 100 back victories, the junior also earned a win in the 100 free (50.32).
Schoettmer took home the 200 breast crown with a time of 2:15.45.
With a score of 310.20, Samantha Pickens finished first in the one meter.
UCLA finished strong, but Martelle’s 200 IM win helped Arizona secure victory.
The Wildcats, both men and women, are back in action on Saturday when they take on USC at 2 p.m. MST.
