“Stadden Shatters Records as No. 10 Bears Roar to Victory”

Isabelle Stadden commemorates her record-setting performance in the 100-yard backstroke.

WSWIM1/17/2025 4:50 PM | By: Cal Athletics

Fifth-Year Senior Establishes Pool Record In Both Individual Backstroke Events

BERKELEY – Fifth-year senior Isabelle Stadden altered the Spieker Aquatics Complex record book in the backstroke categories on Friday, setting new pool benchmarks during the No. 10 California women’s swimming & diving team’s 185-115 dual meet triumph over No. 18 USC.

Stadden equaled her personal best time of 50.26 while establishing a new pool standard in the 100-yard backstroke and recorded a season-best time of 1:49.96, which signified the facility record in the 200 back. She was also instrumental in the Golden Bears’ wins in the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.

Both of Stadden’s record-setting times exceeded the performances she achieved in a dual meet victory against Arizona State the previous season. She clocked 50.55 in the 100 back and 1:50.58 in the 200 back against the Sun Devils.

Stadden’s time on Friday also surpassed the 50.47 she swam last season, where she placed second in the 100 back at the NCAA Championships.

Senior Leah Polonsky secured four victories on Friday, especially noted for her win over USC’s Minna Abraham in the 200 freestyle. Polonsky finished first with a time of 1:44.05, while Abraham trailed at 1:44.19. Abraham had secured third place in the event at NCAAs last season. Both Polonsky (Israel) and Abraham (Hungary) competed in the event at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Polonsky also achieved victory in the 200 individual medley (1:56.68) and contributed to both of Cal’s relay victories.

Freshman Mary-Ambre Moluh triumphed in the sprint freestyle events, clinching the 50 free with a time of 22.01 and the 100 free with a 48.35.

Down the road at Legends Aquatic Center, sophomore Ariana Drake captured the 3-meter competition at the Cal Diving Invitational with a score of 301.90.

The Bears will return to Spieker Aquatics Complex on Saturday for their last home dual meet of the season against No. 24 UCLA. Cal will honor its 18 seniors and graduate students in a special ceremony prior to the meet commencing.