SWIMMING PACIFIC 10 CHAMPIONSHIPS : Stanford Gets 10th Title in Row

Stanford capped its worst dual meet season in history with a record 10th consecutive Pacific 10 Championship Saturday night at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach. The Cardinal, who went 2-6 during the season, surpassed USC’s record of nine titles from 1961-69.

In compiling 877.5 points, Stanford won eight of 18 events. Despite being shut out for an event title, UCLA edged California for runner-up honors, 561.5 points to 561.0. USC was fourth with 485.5 points, followed by Arizona State (425), Arizona (373) and Washington (210.5).

“I really wanted to win 10 in a row,” Stanford’s 12th-year Coach Skip Kenney said. “It was very important because of the respect I have for (Coach) Peter Daland and USC. I tried to focus on the NCAAs but once we got to Belmont Plaza we couldn’t help talking about being part of the history of the best conference in the U.S.”

Led by freshman Brian Retterer, Stanford won five of the top six places in the 200-yard backstroke. Retterer, who finished in one minute, 46.48 seconds, set a meet record in the preliminaries when he touched in 1:45.15.

Stanford also struck gold in the 200 butterfly when sophomore Brad Budney swam a 1:46.19 to edge Cal’s Mark Henderson.

USC earned its only first place when senior Erik Ran beat Arizona State Olympian Troy Dalbey in the 100 freestyle in 43.95.