BERKELEY, Calif. – The Pacific men's swimming and diving program put together a spirited effort but ultimately fell to No. 5 California by a 205-54 margin on Thursday from the Spieker Aquatics Complex.

In an afternoon that saw the Golden Bears honor their senior class, the Tigers showed some life in a few key events, highlighted by the performances of sophomore Nate Rasmussen and freshman Raphael Vanhecke.

Rasmussen, who was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Men's Athlete of the Week yesterday, notched a personal best in the 50 yard free, clocking in at 20.31. His fourth-place finish in that event against the Bears marked the fastest time by a Tiger this season and is now among the top ten in the school record books, coming in at seventh all-time. Rasmussen also competed in the 200 yard IM (1:54.11) and the 100 yard free (43.46).

Vanhecke also put together a top ten performance for the Pacific record books, collecting the sixth fastest time in the 200 yard IM with a time of 1:49.13. Vanhecke also swam in the 200 yard free, touching the wall in fifth place at 1:39.09.

The Pacific men now await the MPSF Swimming & Diving Championships, hosted by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley from Wednesday, Feb. 25 to Saturday, Feb. 28. The women hold their regular season finale this Saturday at noon at UC Davis from the Schaal Aquatics Center.

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