ATLANTA – The California Golden Bears men’s swimming and diving team secured their second consecutive ACC Championship title on , overcoming a strong challenge from rival Stanford. The victory marks a successful transition for Cal into the Atlantic Coast Conference, demonstrating their continued dominance in collegiate swimming.
Cal finished with 1,154 points, outpacing Stanford’s 1,076. This repeat performance underscores the program’s strength and consistency, building on their success from the previous year’s ACC Championship. The Bears now turn their attention to the NCAA Championships, scheduled for in Atlanta, aiming to extend a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive top-two national finishes.
The championship meet, held at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center, saw standout performances from several Cal athletes. Sophomore Yamato Okadome emerged as the Most Valuable Swimmer, sweeping both the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke events. His winning time in the 200-yard breaststroke – 1:48.87 – set a new meet record and currently stands as the fastest time nationally this season, ranking third all-time at Cal.
“It’s a great conference,” Cal coach David Durden told the ACC Network. “We’re excited to be in it. It’s great competition heading into NCAAs.” Durden’s comments highlight the competitive benefit of competing within the ACC, preparing the team for the challenges of the national stage.
Okadome’s contributions extended beyond individual events. He was also a key member of Cal’s winning 400-yard medley relay team, alongside Evan Petty, Casper Puggaard and Martin Wrede. Their time of 3:00.74 is the third-fastest nationally this season and the sixth-best in Cal program history.
Graduate student Evan Petty also delivered a strong performance, winning the 100-yard backstroke in 44.21 seconds. Petty’s victory was particularly notable as he qualified for the final as the eighth seed, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. His winning time ranks fifth all-time at Cal and sixth nationally this season.
Cal’s success wasn’t limited to the men’s team. The Bears’ women’s team also achieved a strong result at the ACC meet, finishing third in the team competition – an improvement from their fourth-place finish the previous year.
The Bears’ season wasn’t without its challenges. Earlier in the season, they suffered a 71-point defeat at home against Stanford in a trio-meet that also included Arizona State. However, they clearly rebounded from that setback, peaking at the right time to claim the ACC Championship.
The NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships represent the next major hurdle for Cal. The meet, traditionally held in a 25-yard pool, will test the Bears’ depth and versatility. Historically, the University of Texas has been the most successful program at the NCAA Championships, with 16 national titles. Cal will be looking to challenge that dominance and add to their own impressive record of consistent top-two finishes.
The championships feature a wide range of individual and relay events, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and individual medley races. Diving events – one-meter, three-meter, and platform – also contribute to the overall team score. Cal’s ability to excel across all disciplines will be crucial to their pursuit of a national title.
As Cal prepares for the NCAA Championships, the team’s recent ACC Championship victory serves as a significant confidence boost. The performance of athletes like Yamato Okadome and Evan Petty, combined with the team’s overall depth, positions them as a strong contender for the national crown. The competition in Atlanta promises to be fierce, but the Golden Bears are well-prepared to make a serious run at the title.
