Stanford Cardinal’s Bold Stand Against USC: A Thrilling Showdown

STANFORD, Calif. – No. 3 Stanford showcased yet another remarkable performance at Avery Aquatics Center on Saturday afternoon, seizing victory in 15 out of 16 events, resulting in a 207-92 win against No. 18 USC.

Sophomore Lucy Bell delivered the Cardinal’s standout individual performance of the day, securing three event victories, including two new personal bests in the butterfly categories. Bell’s first triumph occurred in the 100 fly, surpassing her former personal record with a time of 58.53, placing her third in the “Stanford Top-10” for this event. The native of Fort Collins, Colo., continued her success in the 200 fly, where she already ranks second in program history, achieving another career-best time of 2:05.92, just four-hundredths of a second shy of the school record. Bell finished her competition with another victory in the 400 IM, clocking in at 4:06.71.

Torri Huske, Lillie Nordmann, and Aurora Roghair each displayed impressive performances as well, securing wins in two events on Saturday. Huske achieved a new personal best with a time of 1:41.90 in the 200 free, later claiming victory in the 100 free with a time of 48.47. Nordmann triumphed in both butterfly events with times of 52.51 (100 fly) and 1:53.28 (200 fly), while Roghair dominated the distance freestyle events once more, clocking a 4:36.15 in the 500 free and a 9:29.66 in the 1000 free.

Freshman Levenia Sim secured victory in the 100 back with a performance of 52.98, and Natalie Mannion clinched the 200 back title with an effort of 1:53.78. Gigi Johnson completed Stanford’s individual victors with a win in the 50 free, finishing first at 22.46.

Stanford also swept the relays on Saturday, with Sim, Lucy Thomas, Huske, and Amy Tang recording a time of 1:35.54 to win the 200 medley, while the team of Johnson, Huske, Nordmann, and Tang concluded the meet with a winning time of 3:12.91 in the 400 free relay.

In the diving segment, which was judged at the Cal Diving Invitational, Anna Lemkin secured the 1-meter title with a score of 308.05, whereas USC won the 3-meter event championship.

Stanford will return to competition for the regular season finale against No. 10 California at noon PT on Feb. 1. This meet will also mark the program’s Senior Day and will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.

Complete results from Saturday’s competition against the Trojans can be found HERE.

Event Winners (listed by event)

200 Medley Relay: Sim, Thomas, Huske, Tang (STAN) – 1:35.54

1000 Freestyle: Aurora Roghair (STAN) – 9:29.66

200 Freestyle: Torri Huske (STAN) – 1:41.90

100 Backstroke: Levenia Sim (STAN) – 52.98

100 Breaststroke: Lucy Bell (STAN) – 58.53

200 Butterfly: Lillie Nordmann (STAN) – 1:53.28

50 Freestyle: Gigi Johnson (STAN) – 22.46

3-meter Dive: Anna Lemkin (STAN) – 308.05

100 Freestyle: Torri Huske (STAN) – 48.47

200 Backstroke: Natalie Mannion (STAN) – 1:53.78

200 Breaststroke: Lucy Bell (STAN) – 2:05.92

500 Freestyle: Aurora Roghair (STAN) – 4:36.15

100 Butterfly: Lillie Nordmann (STAN) – 52.51

1-meter Dive: Kate Miller (USC) – 303.60

400 IM: Lucy Bell (STAN) – 4:06.71

400 Free Relay: Johnson, Huske, Nordmann, Tang – 3:12.91