STOCKTON, Calif. – Hosting a meet for the first time in two months, the Pacific swimming program earned a hard-fought split against Cal Poly Friday afternoon at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center.
 
The Tigers' women's team (5-2) defeated the Mustangs by a 169-91 margin while the men's team (4-1) fell in a tightly contested competition, 147-115. It was Pacific's second win over Cal Poly in the last three seasons.
 
"That was a great win for our women," head coach Katelyne Herrington said. "It was a close meet for the guys, which was the best results we could have asked for considering how well Cal Poly has been racing this year. Our women's 200 breaststroke was definitely a highlight for our team today." 
 
Pacific ended up winning first place in 11 of 14 women's events while senior Mitchell Hopper turned in a strong performance with a pair of first place finishes in the men's 100 yard freestyle (44.24) and men's 100 yard butterfly (48.45).
 
Senior Kelly Kermoian and senior Jordan Gonzales finished one and two respectively in the women's 200 backstroke with Kermoian earning a first-place time of 2:02.50.
 
Senior Paige Sondgeroth was a force to be reckoned with, earning the top spot in the women's 200 yard IM, women's 100 yard breaststroke and 200 yard breaststroke. Sondgeroth also was a key member in the opening event where the Tigers' A team secured first place in the 200 yard medley relay, alongside Gonzales, senior Noemi Melendez and freshman Lilliana Noriega.
 
In the men's 1,000 yard freestyle, the Tigers received a first-place finish from freshman Dante Dentino with a time of 9:35.81.
 
For the 50 free events, Pacific swept the podium on the women's side with Noriega, freshman Josie Fields and senior Alexia Ferguson going from first to third. The men found first place thanks to senior Leland Baltazar's time of 20.61, which was .14 seconds away his season best.
 
Pacific has a quick turnaround, hosting UC Santa Barbara for the second half of the weekend's back-to-back home meets at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center. The match-up with the Gauchos is scheduled for noon.
 
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