Thousand Oaks, Calif. - At the Chris Knorr Invitational at Cal Lutheran on Thursday, the women won seven events, the men nine, on their way to sweeping the team titles as they begin the 6-week march to the PCSC Championships.  This was the women's first win at Chris Knorr while the men successfully defended their title from last year.

Racing for the first time since late November, the Golden Eagles shook off the rust and produced some solid swims on the day.

Highlighting the meet for the women were Aubrie Carver (1st, 100-200 backstrokes), Brinkley Hallgren (1st, 100-200 breaststrokes), Alice Stainer (1st, 200 free, 2nd 100 free) and Carissa Ward (1st, 200 IM, 2nd 200 back).  

The men were led by Jayden Hernandez (1st, 50-100 free, 100 butterfly), Joey Molettieri (1st, 200 free), Tommy Kelly (1st, 100 back), Jackson Rosol (1st, 200 back) and Hunter May (1st, 200 IM).

CUI depth was a factor as the women went 1-2 in the 200 free and 100-200 back,1-3 in the 200 IM, and 3-7 in the 50 free.  The men had an even stronger showing grabbing the top-5 places in the 100 back, 1-4 in the 200 IM and 1-2 in the 200 free and 100 butterfly.

CUI won three of four relays as the men's 200 medley relay (with a quick 1:34.21) and 400 free relay took dominant wins while the women rallied to win the 400 free relay as well.

From Coach Bergen:
We asked them to focus on racing and getting their hands on the wall first.  With the long racing layoff, we didn't expect fast swims but were actually surprised by some nice efforts.  This meet gets us going for a busy January and the most important stretch of the season.  We'll need to be focused, mature and driven if we want to succeed at the conference championships.  I know we'll be ready.

CUI is next in action on Saturday, January 11 as they host the OC Invitational at Woollett Aquatic Center.  Swimming and diving competition starts at 10:00am.  CUI Senior Recognition is at 9:30am.